Manchester on course for the CL final: City gifts Real in a wild seven-goal show

Manchester on course CL final
City gifts Real in a wild seven-goal show

4/26/2022 10:54 p.m

For fans of solid defensive work, the semi-final first leg between Manchester City and Real Madrid is a nightmare. The Citizens miss it in their own stadium to take a big step towards the Champions League final. Karim Benzema ensures that Real keeps their chances.

The Manchester City footballers showed record winners Real Madrid the limits on a breathtaking Champions League evening and can once again dream of the final. The team of star coach Pep Guardiola defeated the royals in a spectacular semi-final first leg 4: 3 (2: 1). A draw is enough for City on Wednesday’s second leg in Paris on their way to the final on May 28 in Paris.

The outstanding Kevin De Bruyne (2nd), Gabriel Jesus (11th), Phil Foden (53rd) and Bernardo Silva (74th) scored for last year’s finalist, who missed numerous other good chances of a larger lead. Riyad Mahrez failed at the post (48th). Goals from star striker Karim Benzema in his 600th game for Real (33rd and 82nd, hand penalty) and Vinicius Junior (55th) kept Madrid’s hopes of their 14th triumph alive.

52,500 fans transformed the Etihad Stadium into a sea of ​​blue and white flags to the sounds of the Beatles classic “Hey Jude”. Contrary to his style, Guardiola dispensed with tactical antics – and initially with İlkay Gündoğan. City started very strong without him: Toni Kroos was too far away from crosser Riyad Mahrez, De Bruyne headed in after just 93 seconds.

Benzema scores for the eighth and ninth times in the knockout stages

After a cross from the Belgian, Real defense chief David Alaba, who had recovered from adductor problems in time – possibly irritated by nearby Kroos – stepped over the ball. Jesus, who last scored four goals in the Premier League in a 5-1 win over Watford FC , did not hesitate from five meters, 2-0. City played themselves into a frenzy, much to the annoyance of the raging Guardiola, who later even saw a yellow card for complaining, but missed the third goal several times. Alaba gave the guests the first sign of life with a head (30th).

The royals sorely missed their midfield biter Casemiro, who was ailing on the bench. But Benzema was reliable in his 600th game for the Madrilenians: The Frenchman, who had been the decisive man in the previous rounds against Paris Saint-Germain and defending champions Chelsea FC with three and four goals respectively, converted a cross from Ferland Mendy despite the difficulties to the goal. His eighth (!) goal in the knockout phase and the 13th overall in the premier class. Guardiola had to make changes shortly afterwards: John Stones, who was defending on the right for the injured Kyle Walker, limped off (36′). He was replaced by Fernandinho, who usually plays in midfield and looked really bad at 2-3.

After the break, Alaba stayed in the dressing room. The Real defense, which had not yet been reorganized, was duped by Mahrez in the 48th minute, who then hit the post. Foden’s follow-up shot was blocked by Dani Carvajal in front of the line. In the 53rd, the England international did better, heading in a Fernandinho cross. The Madrilenians responded promptly: Vinicius ran alone on the left side from the center line towards the city goal and completed it with a precise low shot.

Bernardo Silva created another two-goal lead with a powerful shot under the bar, before Benzema reduced the penalty again for Real with a lob converted penalty, thus keeping Madrid’s chances of the final alive.