Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Champions League Semi-Final Review

MADRID – The players of Real Madrid drew 1:1 with Manchester City in the first semi-final of the Champions League on Tuesday.

“White Ballet” led at halftime thanks to Vinicius Junior’s goal, but did not benefit from the advantage of the home environment after Kevin De Bruyne’s accurate strike in the 76th minute. The rematch is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, at the home of the reigning English champion.

The guests entered the match much more actively and sent four shots at the opponent’s goal during the opening forty-five minutes. Their opponent aimed between the three posts only once and successfully, when Vinicius Junior got his way after a combination of Camaving and Modric.

Paradoxically, the equalizing goal came after a strong offensive episode by the home team, when De Bruyne managed to score on the fourth attempt. The home offensive guarded the star gunner Erling Haaland, against whom goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois only had to intervene once.

“Citizens” will thus start anew in the rematch and can use the advantage of the home environment. They met the same opponent in the same phase of last year’s edition of the LM – the Madrid team won the overall triumph for their side at the end of the home rematch. They beat Liverpool 1:0 in the final.

first match of the LM semi-finals:

Real Madrid – Manchester City 1:1 (1:0)

Goals: 36. Vinicius Junior – 67. De Bruyne. ŽK: Kroos, Camavinga – Gündogan, Silva. Judges: Dias – Soares, Ribeiro (all Port.)

Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Camavinga – Valverde, Kroos (84. Tchouameni), Modric (87. Nacho) – Rodrygo (81. Asensio), Benzema, Vinicius Junior

Manchester: Ederson – Walker, Stones, Ruben Dias, Akanji – De Bruyne, Gündogan, Rodri – Silva, Haaland, Grealish

In the beginning, the game was played in front of the home team’s goal, but their strong defense did not allow the opponent to do anything significant. De Bruyne had the best chance, to whom Silva charged beyond the penalty area. After twenty minutes, Courtois already had four saves to his credit – he sent a dangerous shot to Rodri’s left post and tried to open Haaland’s score with a sharp header.

From the fast break, the home team also had their first big chance. Vinicius sent a sharp pass to Benzema from the left side, but it was neutralized by Ruben Dias. Shortly after half an hour of the game, the home team Camavinga started the attack with Modrič. The Croatian charged his teammate a good ball with his heel, he dragged it to within range of the opponent’s goal and passed it to Vinicius Junior.

The Brazilian opened the scoring with a shot from outside the penalty area. The home team had more of the game for a while and before the break there was some offensive activity from the guests as well. The final minutes were marked by fights between Carvajal and Grealish, which culminated in an unsportsmanlike strike by the City striker.

After the break, the visitors started to be more active and got the first shot. However, De Bruyne went into a great opportunity on the other side after a push from Silva on the right wing. Courtois hit a sharp ball to the edge of the small goal area, from where Rüdiger cleaned it up. A little later, Haaland also pressed in front of the goal, guarded by Alaba.

The home team then got an opportunity in the form of a corner kick and remained in front of the opponent’s goal for several minutes – Modrič was the mastermind of several actions, but his team could not overcome the guests’ strong defense. They went on the attack again and benefited from it with a goal, thanks to De Bruyne. The Belgian had the fourth shot on goal and the third from a distance – Courtois was not enough to hit it.

By the end of the match, only the home side were active offensively, Benzema and Tchouameni had the best chances. The captain did not convert the cross to the far post from Kroos, and the substitute midfielder sent a fierce shot under the crossbar at the end. However, Ederson performed a quality save and the visitors managed the pressure and the entire match without substitutions.

• Author: © List
• Source: TASR