Actual Madrid will take a 3-2 lead into the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie with Manchester Metropolis following some beautiful late drama on the Etihad.
The hosts have been spectacular within the first half and regarded like they’d boast a 2-1 lead forward of subsequent week’s return fixture on the Bernabeu, however Pep Guardiola’s facet conspired to break down late on once more as they allowed Madrid to steal victory.
Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham have been the late goalscorers for the guests, who at the moment are massive favourites to advance into the spherical of 16.
How the sport unfolded
“It is a nightmare getting ready for video games in opposition to him as a result of he at all times has concepts that make you assume,” Carlo Ancelotti famous pre-match, talking of Guardiola. The Man Metropolis boss definitely raised eyebrows along with his group choice on Tuesday evening, selecting 5 centre-halves, as he opted for John Stones to reprise his position on the base of midfield over Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan.
The Etihad was reasonably morbid two weeks in the past for a must-win encounter in opposition to Membership Brugge, however there was doubtlessly a grander sense of event right here with the holders on the town. An electrical ambiance was aided by a frantic opening to the competition, as Metropolis pressed with vigour and Madrid boasted a menace each time they gathered ahead momentum.
The hosts should have been behind early on with Madrid taking part in via Metropolis to tee up Kylian Mbappe’s first shot on the right track of the evening, earlier than Ferland Mendy had a goal-bound effort expertly blocked by Nathan Ake.
Madrid’s lack of punch in entrance of objective rapidly proved expensive as Metropolis went forward following a glowing sequence of their very own. The fruits was Erling Haaland’s first-ever objective in opposition to the perennial European champions. Guardiola’s facet steadied thereafter and asserted spectacular management on the competition because of their overload in central areas and extra measured method with out the ball which restricted Madrid’s moments in open area.
Substitute Phil Foden, who entered the fray for Jack Grealish, examined Thibaut Courtois with a fierce effort from vary and Manuel Akanji flicked the crossbar with a header from a set piece. Metropolis, nevertheless, did not add to their lead, and Madrid got here on robust to conclude an excellent first half with the majestic entrance 4 beginning to have their say.
Mbappe should have equalised when he was left on their own on the left facet of Metropolis’s field, however his first-time effort was wild.
The hosts have been wonderful for a big chunk of the opening interval, however there was a way of inevitability relating to Madrid’s equaliser at the beginning of the second half. Jude Bellingham skewed a header broad and Mbappe pressured one other save out of Ederson earlier than the Frenchman ultimately restored parity with a sliced volley which was reluctant to kiss the again of Metropolis’s web.
It regarded like Metropolis have been fading, however Madrid could not seize the momentum within the aftermath of the leveller. The sting dissipated out of the competition and the hosts took benefit when Dani Ceballos crashed into Foden, forcing Clement Turpin to level to the spot. Haaland netted his second, and that ought to’ve been that…
Alas, Metropolis contrived to give up their benefit with an inexplicable finale. A poor Ederson clearance kick-started the sequence which led to Brahim Diaz’s leveller earlier than Vinicius Junior broke in behind, lobbed a wayward effort past the onrushing Metropolis goalkeeper which allowed Bellingham to poke residence a stoppage-time winner.
Take a look at Man Metropolis 2-3 Actual Madrid participant rankings right here.
Manchester Metropolis at their treble-winning greatest had a minimum of 4 centre-backs within the group. Guardiola picked 5 on Wednesday evening, and the Spaniard’s ploy paid dividends within the first half.
There was a classic tinge to Metropolis’s set-up, with Guardiola choosing a 2-3-5 form on the ball which focussed on the 2 full-backs supplying assist for John Stones in midfield as soon as possession modified fingers. The positioning of Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol additionally helped the hosts confuse a sometimes disjointed Madrid press, permitting Stones to dictate proceedings from the center of the park.
Metropolis had ‘free eights’ within the half-spaces, with Kevin De Bruyne dragging Madrid’s midfielders away from the centre and making lung-busting runs in behind. It was classic stuff, and the Belgian’s work-rate out of possession should not have gone unnoticed. The hosts did not press man-to-man, however De Bruyne performed a significant position in ushering Madrid into sky-blue corners.
Their efforts in shunning a fearsome quartet appeared to take its toll, nevertheless, and Madrid have been ultimately capable of shift the momentum. Dani Ceballos began dropping into Toni Kroos territory which improved Madrid’s build-up and ensured they accessed their superstars way more ceaselessly within the second half. Did Pep maybe give up an excessive amount of management with out the ball?
When you bear in mind, Vinicius Junior and Madrid made a little bit of a fuss over Manchester Metropolis’s Rodri claiming his first Ballon d’Or over the Brazilian, and the Etihad trustworthy have been eager on reminding the winger of the Spaniard’s particular person glory.
‘STOP CRYING YOUR HEART OUT,’ learn one sizeable banner with a picture of Rodri kissing the golden ball, doubtlessly taunting the Madrid celebrity who should’ve been determined to provide it to the Metropolis followers via the medium of a masterclass.
And whereas there was no Vini Jr spectacle, the Brazilian finally had the final snicker. The early jeers which greeted him light as soon as the Metropolis trustworthy remembered how good on the sport he was, and though the winger did not take over the competition, he performed a decisive position in Madrid successful the primary leg.
It was his shot which was parried into Brahim Diaz’s path for the equaliser, and he’ll declare an help for what was a poor lobbed effort previous Ederson which allowed Bellingham to pounce.
There was some compromise on Guardiola’s rules, however the resolution was made mandatory by Metropolis’s latest horrors at defending the counter-attack. Had Metropolis pressed man-to-man, Madrid could have been stifled within the build-up, however the hosts would’ve been on the mercy of a harmful entrance 4 which had sufficient pleasure within the face of a extra measured Cityzens method.
The hosts labored so arduous to take a first-half lead and stifle Madrid’s momentum after the equaliser, ultimately incomes the second which ought to’ve led to them taking a 2-1 lead into the second leg.
But once more, although, Metropolis threw away a place of power within the Champions League. We have seen them give up an early lead at Sporting CP in fashion, a 3-0 benefit to Feyenoord in quarter-hour, and a 2-0 lead at PSG within the blink of a watch. They have been 2-1 up on Tuesday evening with lower than 5 to play and misplaced 3-2.
That is the fifth time Metropolis have misplaced a recreation which they’ve led this season – they solely gave up 5 successful positions throughout the earlier 4 seasons.
