Is there a better Champions League tie than Real Madrid versus Manchester City?
Recent history suggests not after these two European powers played out a spectacular 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Finding themselves in the round of 16 for the third time in as many seasons, the second leg of this quarter-final in Manchester surely cannot come soon enough after the two teams shared six goals in a truly memorable encounter.
After Bernardo Silva gave City an early lead, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo scored to put Madrid 2-1 ahead. Spectacular goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol turned the match on its head before Federico Valverde had the last word to close out the match.
Dermot Corrigan, Sam Lee and Mark Carey break down the key talking points from an unforgettable match.
Chaos reigns in extraordinary start
Neither coach would have wanted such a manic opening to the match, given that Guardiola places particular emphasis on control and patience on such big occasions.
At first it seemed to be an advantage for City when Bernardo Silva took advantage of a triple error by Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin (a bad wall, poor positioning and a weak hand) on a direct free kick to make the score 1- 0 for visitors. In 108 seconds, it was the second-earliest goal conceded by Madrid in the Champions League at the Bernabeu.
But Madrid tends to thrive in such chaos. Their first period of sustained possession in the match saw Eduardo Camavinga let loose from 25 yards. The Frenchman’s shot repelled Ruben Dias and City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega on the wrong foot.
The Madrid fans were yet to sit down when their team led 2-1, Vinicius Junior sliding Rodrygo past City’s makeshift right-back Manuel Akanji and the Brazilian’s first-time shot leaving Ortega with no chance to react.
It is true that Rodrygo’s shot also deflected before heading towards the net, flying off Akanji’s foot, but Madrid would reject any notion that his return was a chance.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team reacted with confidence and quality after being behind from the start. There was also a tactical element. Ancelotti had unusually played Camavinga to the right of his midfield. Rodrygo on the left and Vinicius Jr in the center were particularly surprising, causing Guardiola problems throughout the match.
Madrid also have a history of such ‘express comebacks’ against City at the Bernabeu – two goals in 89 seconds in 2021-22 and two goals in 113 seconds tonight.
Dermot Corrigan
Rodrygo turns the screw at City
Ahead of this quarter-final clash, much preparatory analysis has focused on the attacking threat of Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham.
Much like much of his Real Madrid career, Rodrygo has been less talked about but the Brazilian continues to be underestimated. His role in maintaining Madrid’s width on the left flank was an interesting tactical adjustment from Ancelotti, rotating with Vinicius Jr, who usually plays this lung role along the touchline.
The two Brazilian players traded frequently throughout the match, with Rodrygo’s penetrating runs causing problems for Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias, while Madrid’s counter-attacking threat rarely relented.
It took Rodrygo just 14 minutes before he got his name on the scoresheet, giving Madrid the lead after Vinicius Jr’s delicious threaded ball saw the 23-year-old burst into the box and finish quietly – albeit with the help of a diversion.
After City got the better of Madrid in last year’s semi-finals, Guardiola’s side will always be haunted by Rodrygo’s performance at the Bernabeu in the 2021-22 season. The Brazilian entered the field after 68 minutes before scoring two goals in two minutes to turn things around as Madrid stunned City to win 3-1 and advance to the Champions League final.
After his two goals helped Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao in their last La Liga match, tonight’s result takes the tally to 16 goals (and 8 assists) in all competitions for Rodrygo this season – and it looks ready to break his career record of 19 goals set last. season.
With other attacking signings expected to arrive this summer in the form of Endrick and (potentially) Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo’s form could have come at a crucial time. It reminds Ancelotti that he is not ready to give up his place in the team without a fight.
Marc Carey
There has been a lot of emphasis recently on Erling Haaland’s link-up play and while Roy Keane’s assessment as a ‘League Two player’ was exaggerated, it is true that he has struggled of late.
It probably shouldn’t be surprising that he struggled again here against Antonio Rudiger considering that’s what happened in the same match a year ago, in the middle of one of the individual seasons the most impressive we have ever known. So if it could happen then, it can happen now. But the fact remains that Haaland is something of an enigma in the heist stakes.
His youth coaches say he was a much smaller boy growing up and had to get the edge on defenders by perfecting his moves. His physique showed up later and that’s why he’s more of a poacher, despite his imposing figure.
This also helps explain why he’s not the best heist: it’s not something he grew up with. On nights like these, City could really use more of his stick, especially in the first half where they were losing the ball much more easily than usual.
He put in an impressive chase in the second half and was frustrated not to get a few passes in behind when the rare chances presented themselves, but City need more from him when the chances don’t come.
Sam Lee
Madrid and City show their recovery capabilities
Things had gone so well for Madrid. They had been so successful in shutting down City’s usual possession play that there was a real shock in the second quick turnaround of the evening.
Madrid had Haaland under control via Rudiger and Tchouameni, but that ended up leaving space elsewhere, which City were able to take advantage of.
First, Foden was able to pivot and shoot into the top corner from the edge of the area. The touch was excellent and the shot superbly struck, but the Englishman should not have been so free. The closest Madrid player was Rudiger, who dove to block from where he had marked Haaland much closer to goal.
Then Gvardiol managed to catch Jack Grealish’s pass and even take a heavier-than-ideal touch before firing towards the net from another fairly large space 25 yards out. This time, at the edge of the frame was Toni Kroos, who tried, tired and unsuccessful, to get in the way.
But once again, Madrid reacted well to this setback. Ancelotti immediately replaced Kroos, with Valverde pushed to the right in the ensuing reshuffle. The Uruguayan has been on the sidelines this season, adapting his game after Bellingham’s arrival as a midfielder, but when the moment came his first strike was perfect to make it 3-3.
And it was Modric with the forward run who started the movement.
It was almost as if Madrid needed the shock of being behind again to react – but they responded, leaving things brilliantly set up ahead of the second leg.
Dermot Corrigan
The city discovers the beauty of losing control
Normally, if a Champions League knockout tie with Manchester City is a cracker, then something is wrong for them.
This is particularly the case in the first leg as Guardiola is very happy to leave home, close up shop (but with the ball rather than without) and wait to force the second leg, especially if it is in the second leg . Etihad.
So there was no chance of him leaving for that to happen tonight but, given there seemed to be no alternative, all credit to City for following through and showing plenty of their strengths even on a night when his weaknesses were more than visible. normal.
They were more open in transitions (especially in the first half), they were weak in certain duels and they gave away a lot of balls (especially in the first hour) and yet they still had periods where they are imposed and, even beyond all that, they continued to roll with the punches – which they didn’t always do on these stages – and returned many of them.
What a cracker.
Sam Lee
What did Carlo Ancelotti say?
After the match, Ancelotti said: “It was a well-balanced match, both teams really competed to the limit; it was a hard-fought draw.
“As long as we pressed them, we were in really good shape. We tried to take advantage of our ability to play fast transition football. We obviously wanted to take a slight advantage in the second leg, but I think we have to settle for a lot tonight.
“We competed very well and if we repeat that next week we can qualify.”
What did Pep Guardiola say?
“In the second half we really showed our personality in the way we played,” the City coach told TNT Sports. “Coming back from 2-1 in Manchester would have been difficult. Instead we scored two fantastic goals, but defending 15 minutes in this stadium feels like an eternity. 3-3, we’ll take it.
“I told (the players) to be calmer and attack from the outside. Now I say, “Guys, it’s 45 minutes after 90 minutes.” There is a lot of football to be played.
“We are lucky that Gvardiol is with us today. He was incredible in the way he played. He’s a lovely guy and we’re very happy to have him.
What future for Real Madrid?
Saturday April 13: Mallorca (A), La Liga, 5:30 p.m. BST, 12:30 a.m. ET
What future for Manchester City?
Saturday April 13: Luton Town (M), Premier League, 3 p.m. BST, 10 a.m. ET
Recommended reading
(Top photo: Diego Souto/Getty Images)