Real Madrid-Manchester City 3-3: endless spectacle at the Bernabeu

The stellar match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, widely considered a sort of early Champions League final, does not disappoint expectations. The two queens of Europe give goals and emotions in the first leg of the quarterfinals at the Bernabeu, closing the first round with a pyrotechnic 3-3 which leaves both of them’s chances of reaching the semi-finals unchanged ahead of the return leg, scheduled at the Etihad next April 17th (9pm). A result that extends the positive streak of both teams: the English have reached 26 official matches without defeat (22 in Europe), the Blancos to 14.

«The match report»

Bernardo Silva deceives Lunin on a free kick

The start was spectacular. A foul after just 40 seconds on Grealish by Tchouameni (warned and therefore disqualified in the second leg due to being booked for a booking, ndr) delivered a free kick to City who immediately took advantage of it, thanks to Lunin’s uncertainty: the goalkeeper was caught by Bernardo Silva’s low-footed shot at the near post from 30 m, without holding onto the ball. The Ukrainian redeemed himself shortly after by promptly intervening on a turn to the near post by Haaland.

Camavinga and Rodrygo overturn the result in 2′

Real reacted with character and within just 2′, thanks also to a good dose of good luck, they overturned the result. In the 12th minute Camavinga equalized with a left-footed shot from outside deflected with a hip by Ruben Dias which wrong-footed Ortega. The nightmare for the German goalkeeper materialized again 2 minutes later when he was deceived this time by a touch from Akanji who desperately tried to close the path of Rodrygo’s shot, launched perfectly on the counterattack by Vinicius. City took the field but it was Real who were once again dangerous as they failed to complete three good throw-ins with Rodrygo (2) and Vinicius

Foden’s feat, City equalises

The script did not change in the second half but Ancelotti’s men continued not to take advantage of the spaces left by their opponents: Bellingham sent a diagonal shot just wide then it was once again Vinicius’ turn to not capitalize on a good opportunity by kicking a left-footed shot wide. crossbar on assist from Rodrygo. City needed Foden’s brilliance to straighten out the match in the 66th minute: the Stockport talent closed a perimeter move around the Blancos’ area with a magnificent left-footed shot under the top corner following an assist from Stones.

Gvardiol deceives City, Valverde makes it 3-3

On the wings of enthusiasm, Guardiola’s men persisted and in the 71st minute they overturned the result with a magnificent right-footed shot to the edge of the post from outside the area by Gvardiol, served by Grealish. Ancelotti played the Modric and Brahim Diaz cards (for Kroos and Rodrygo) and was rewarded (79′): Modric himself cleared Vinicius on the left whose brushed cross ended up on Valverde’s right with a great right-footed volley diagonally set the score at 3-3.

REAL MADRID-MANCHESTER CITY 3-3 (2-1)
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Lunin 5; Carvajal 6, Rüdiger 7, Tchouameni 5, Mendy 5.5; Valverde 7, Kroos 6.5 (26’st Modric 6.5), Camavinga 6.5; Bellingham 5.5; Rodrygo 7 (26’st Brahim Diaz 6), Vinícius 6.5 (41’st Joselu sv). Coach: Ancelotti 7.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ortega 6; Akanji 5.5, Stones 6, Dias 5.5, Gvardiol 7; Rodri 6.5, Kovacic 6; Bernardo Silva 7, Foot 7 (42’st Alvarez sv), Grealish 6.5, Haaland 5. Players: Guardiola
Referee: Letexier (From) 6.
Rarely: 2’pt Bernardo Silva, 12’pt out. Ruben Dias, 14th Rodrygo, 21st Foden, 26th Guardiol, 34th Valverde.
Warned: Tchouameni, Akanji, Carvajal, Bernardo Silva.
Angles: 4-2.
Recovery: 3′, 4′.