MAN CITY 2-3 REAL MADRID: Pep Guardiola’s men will need to come from a goal down in order to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, as Jude Bellingham popped up with a late winning goal
Pep Guardiola said before the game that he was not sure which Manchester City would turn up.
In the end, both did. The really good City were terrific for 78 minutes and it looked as if they had roused themselves for another crack at the Champions League.
Erling Haaland scored twice, the likes of John Stones, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and Josko Gvardiol rolled back the years with performances to make you believe they could do it. Then the really bad, self destructive, calamitous City produced more kamikaze defensive mistakes culminating in a gift for Jude Bellingham to hit a 92nd-minute winner.
Real Madrid stole victory from the jaws of defeat in an all too familiar story of City’s defensive frailties as they just cannot see games out. Now they have a mountain to climb in the second leg next Wednesday. And make no mistake. City have only got themselves to blame. Incredibly, it is the fourth time City have blown a lead in the Champions League this season. They have conceded nine goals in the last 16 minutes of European games this season.
And to do it in this fashion is utterly unforgivable. No wonder Guardiola looked exasperated at the end. They had worked so hard, done so well to get themselves ahead, but still blew it. Real Madrid were a long way from their best even if they missed chances but they are the kings of the comebacks and Bellingham typified it. You cannot give them an inch. Bellingham was brilliant in front of the watching England boss Thomas Tuchel.
City’s fragile defence just collapsed like a pack of cards. There have been so many basic mistakes this season you begin to wonder if Guardiola can eradicate the problem. Their season has been a rollercoaster and yet the Champions League was a big chance for them – and they blew it. What makes it harder to take was that they were bullish, strong and went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid for so much of the game.
Real Madrid started brightly and looked as if they would score before City even got out of the traps. Mbappe had a shot well-saved by Ederson and then Ferland Mendy’s shot was blocked on the line. It was one way traffic. But Real Madrid’s own defence was patched-up and looked vulnerable all night. Grealish was the surprise pick on the wing but he was also the architect of City’s 19th-minute opener.
Haaland held the ball up brilliantly, Grealish then lobbed a brilliant ball forward which Josko Gvardiol knocked down for Haaland who guided the ball into the far corner. It took an age for VAR to confirm it was onside. Incredibly, it was Haaland’s first goal against Madrid and the City No9 looked reinvigorated as he chased, terrorised and fought for every ball. But Grealish was forced off injured and replaced by Phil Foden.
Will Manchester City turn it around in the second leg? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Real Madrid levelled on the hour. Bernardo Silva gave away a silly free kick which was not cleared and Dani Ceballos chipped the ball over the top, Mbappe miscued it but there was still enough on the ball to crawl over the line. City came back again. Ceballos tripped Foden in the box and up stepped Haaland to stroke home and put the home side back in front after 78 minutes.
You cannot lose it from there. But City managed it. Ederson’s poor ball got them in a mess, Vinicius Jr’s shot was pushed away by Ederson but ex-City forward Brahim Diaz – on the pitch for just two minutes – scored to level it up after 86 minutes. Worse was to come. Rico Lewis misjudged a ball, Vinicius Junior nipped in to lob Ederson and then Bellingham put the finishing touch on the 92nd minute winner.
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