- Real Madrid and Manchester City offer the best entertainment in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals and play 3:3.
- Silva gives the guests an early lead. The turnaround was achieved after just 14 minutes: Rodrygo scored to make it 2-1.
- ManCity, for their part, turned the game around to 3-2 within a few minutes before Valverde equalized with a volley to make the final score 3-3.
- In the parallel game, Arsenal and FC Bayern also drew. The final result in London is 2:2.
In a Champions League first leg that had been touted as an early final, Real Madrid and Manchester City lived up to expectations. The neutral fans enjoyed a football game with the highest entertainment value, while for supporters of the two clubs it was a rollercoaster of emotions.
With open visors
Approach a Champions League quarter-final cautiously? A longer sampling phase? Not at all; Real Madrid and Manchester City started like fire engines and only thought about the offensive. 40 seconds had been played when referee François Letexier issued the first warning. Aurelién Tchouaméni was shown a yellow card and will miss the second leg.
Bernardo Silva used the free kick from around 25 meters to calm the collective mood: Andrij Lunin took a step to the side and was promptly caught on the wrong foot. Real Madrid reacted – and how:
- 12th minute: Camavinga comes to the ball in the right half of the field. He moves inwards and shoots from a distance. The ball flies from Ruben Dias’ back into the goal. Ortega is already pounced and therefore has no chance of defending himself.
- 14th minute: Vinicius sends Rodrygo, who starts in his own half, on his way. Rodrygo makes a hook in the penalty area before shooting. This shot also finds its way past Ortega into the goal via Manuel Akanji’s leg.
The two teams left their sights open, but Real withdrew after their impressive reaction to the quick deficit. ManCity had more possession with 60%, but ran into the hosts’ counterattacks time after time. However, they were unable to play off the counterattacks cleanly. Once they came to the end, they were too central.
Dream goal after dream goal
The “Citizens” continued to expand their dominance in possession after the break and restricted the hosts around their penalty area. Real came less and less often to relieve the pressure. However, in order to convert their superiority into something countable, the guests needed patience. In the person of Phil Foden (66th minute) and just 5 turns of the hand, Josko Gvardiol, they not only created something countable, but works of art.
Foden flicked the ball irresistibly into the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. Gvardiol, a central defender by profession, also scored with a wonderful curling shot. From the left side he took courage after Jack Grealish’s lay-off and hit the far corner, unstoppable for Lunin.
Manchester City thus scored 3 goals again, as they have in every single Champions League game of the season. In addition, Pep Guardiola’s team has won every one of their Champions League games so far.
Valverde with the last word
Carlo Ancelotti’s team, who was coaching his 200th game in the Champions League, wanted to put an end to Man City’s impressive record. Federico Valverde made the final score 3-3 in the 79th minute with another click of his tongue.
Vinicius showed an outstanding overview, Valverde stormed up and volleyed the ball into the bottom corner. Ortega once again had no chance.
You always meet twice
The second leg between Manchester City and Real Madrid will take place in Manchester on Wednesday, April 17th.