Usually, when Manchester City take a 2-0 lead after just 11 minutes of play, they are likely to end the game with a cricket score.
The Cityzens were certainly in such a mood when they stunned Real Madrid in the opening minutes of the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie on Tuesday evening.
Early goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus gave Pep Guardiola’s side the perfect start and they made the most of it by dominating Los Blancos.
Manchester City’s failure to make the most of the flurry of chances that came their way came back to haunt them. Real Madrid fought back to escape the Etihad Stadium with an encouraging 4-3 defeat.
Blancos show great resilience
In all honesty, Real Madrid were very lucky to still be in the game at half-time. Los Blancos were completely dominated by the hosts, who created several chances.
At 2-0, Mahrez had a glorious chance but the Algerian’s selfishness wouldn’t allow him to set up Jesus. He opted to go solo and ended up blasting the ball into the side net.
However, once Karim Benzema scored to make it 2-1, Carlo Ancelotti’s side had renewed hope. Thrice, they trailed by a two-goal margin but were resilient enough to fight their way back to reduce the deficit.
Many teams would have capitulated and downed their tools after Manchester City’s blistering start. But Los Blancos kept their heads up each time they conceded and had their reward in the end.
Real Madrid still alive in tie
Manchester City left Real Madrid off the hook by squandering several chances, which means Los Blancos are still very much alive in this tie.
The Spanish giants weren’t at their best in the first leg. However, they will have to be better at the Santiago Bernabeu when they play in front of their home fans. Ancelotti said in the aftermath of the game, as quoted by Marca.
"We have to be ready. We are going to fight for another magical night. A bit frustrated, it's true. In the first half, we lost a lot of individual duels. They scored two goals that could have been avoided with a little more attention. It happened, we reacted and we have the game alive for the second leg."
"We were in the game until the end, we competed. We have to defend better. We did well with the ball, with many chances. For the second leg, we have to defend better, it's too important."
With the away goal rule now scrapped, a 4-3 win is not too difficult to overturn. Real Madrid, despite being second-best for large spells on Tuesday, found a way to stay alive. They will now have to finish the job at the Bernabeu next week.
soldierzway
1
I’ll take good luck anytime it’s better than having bad luck like city did and don’t forget luck is part of this game weather we like it or not Again city have a great squad they might even be the best in the world today but all that don’t mean anything in 90 minutes anything can happen Peace and love to you my brother
Well said
AdelMahmoud
2
Not ruling out anything. Just saying that we are the better team so you'll need a bit of luck. Which is common for Los Blancos
I’ll take good luck anytime it’s better than having bad luck like city did and don’t forget luck is part of this game weather we like it or not Again city have a great squad they might even be the best in the world today but all that don’t mean anything in 90 minutes anything can happen Peace and love to you my brother
soldierzway
1
That is very true about city being the best team we face this season on paper psg we’re better than Madrid and so was Chelsea so if I was you I’ll be worried about coming to Madrid and play Still I see that Madrid are down a goal so it 1-0 to city may the best team win and don’t forget to never rule Madrid out till the final whistle Halal Madrid
Not ruling out anything. Just saying that we are the better team so you'll need a bit of luck. Which is common for Los Blancos
18597076(deleted)
0
they celebrated because they feel victory is certain for them at home,let's wait for it till next week and see what happens
Well they celebrated because they still have a chance. And are not out of the running. Real Madrid isn’t the type to believe a match is won before it even happens. Every opponent is taken seriously.
midestivah
0
I watched it again…just to be sure. And yeah they celebrated. But you’re being exaggerative, They didn’t celebrate as though they won the tie. They celebrated because they survived with only a goal deficit, and still have a chance next week. But nothing was out of proportion.
they celebrated because they feel victory is certain for them at home,let's wait for it till next week and see what happens
18597076(deleted)
0
I saw Madrid celebrating as if they won the tie already yesterday and I was like have they forgotten they lost to Chelsea at their home? if Chelsea have had a good result like city at home then Madrid won't be here, so I think an city will still win again or at least draw and go through, it's going to be an all English final again
I watched it again…just to be sure. And yeah they celebrated. But you’re being exaggerative, They didn’t celebrate as though they won the tie. They celebrated because they survived with only a goal deficit, and still have a chance next week. But nothing was out of proportion.
AdelMahmoud
0
Currently man city are the best team you've faced this season. And you were a bit lucky with Laporte handling the ball so if I were you I'd pray that Madrid are not humiliated in front of their fans.
That is very true about city being the best team we face this season on paper psg we’re better than Madrid and so was Chelsea so if I was you I’ll be worried about coming to Madrid and play Still I see that Madrid are down a goal so it 1-0 to city may the best team win and don’t forget to never rule Madrid out till the final whistle Halal Madrid
soldierzway
0
They celebrated because city dominated the game and they still found a way back into the game there is still at least 90 minutes of playing time and any team can win the game May the best team win it’s gonna be a great gam
Currently man city are the best team you've faced this season. And you were a bit lucky with Laporte handling the ball so if I were you I'd pray that Madrid are not humiliated in front of their fans.
AdelMahmoud
0
I saw Madrid celebrating as if they won the tie already yesterday and I was like have they forgotten they lost to Chelsea at their home? if Chelsea have had a good result like city at home then Madrid won't be here, so I think an city will still win again or at least draw and go through, it's going to be an all English final again
They celebrated because city dominated the game and they still found a way back into the game there is still at least 90 minutes of playing time and any team can win the game May the best team win it’s gonna be a great gam
midestivah
1
I saw Madrid celebrating as if they won the tie already yesterday and I was like have they forgotten they lost to Chelsea at their home? if Chelsea have had a good result like city at home then Madrid won't be here, so I think an city will still win again or at least draw and go through, it's going to be an all English final again
jaymap
1
that's why they are the best club it's because of their mentality.
tiyamstu
1
The only problem mancity have is in scoring goals but instead of pep to address this gaping hole he will chose to continue buying midfielders and look at how it' has impacted negatively against mancity players,they dominate, control the opponents but but behave like amateurs when goal scoring opportunity arises!!!