Manchester
City produced a stunning late fightback as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin
de Bruyne secured a memorable 2-1 win at Real Madrid to take control of their
Champions League last-16 tie.
City produced a stunning late fightback as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin
de Bruyne secured a memorable 2-1 win at Real Madrid to take control of their
Champions League last-16 tie.
After a cagey
first half, the hosts capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Rodri and
Nicolas Otamendi to take the lead as the impressive Vinicius Junior raced
towards goal before neatly squaring for Isco to slot home.
first half, the hosts capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Rodri and
Nicolas Otamendi to take the lead as the impressive Vinicius Junior raced
towards goal before neatly squaring for Isco to slot home.
Sergio Ramos
shot over as Real Madrid looked to double their advantage but City equalized 12
minutes before time when Jesus nodded in from close range.
shot over as Real Madrid looked to double their advantage but City equalized 12
minutes before time when Jesus nodded in from close range.
It was the
first time City had beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League and means they
are in the driving seat before the second leg at the Etihad on Tuesday, 17
March.
first time City had beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League and means they
are in the driving seat before the second leg at the Etihad on Tuesday, 17
March.
The win will
have been all the more welcome for City fans after their side were earlier this
month banned from European club competitions for the next two years.
have been all the more welcome for City fans after their side were earlier this
month banned from European club competitions for the next two years.
Real Madrid
are the Champions League’s most successful club with 13 titles and they have
been particularly strong under Zidane.
are the Champions League’s most successful club with 13 titles and they have
been particularly strong under Zidane.
This was the
first time Guardiola and Zidane – rivals in their playing days for Barcelona
and Real Madrid respectively – had gone to head-to-head as managers and it was
the former who came out on top.
first time Guardiola and Zidane – rivals in their playing days for Barcelona
and Real Madrid respectively – had gone to head-to-head as managers and it was
the former who came out on top.
The defender
was making only his fourth appearance since recovering from a serious knee
injury that had kept him out for much of the season but pulled up with just
over half an hour gone and was replaced by Fernandinho.
was making only his fourth appearance since recovering from a serious knee
injury that had kept him out for much of the season but pulled up with just
over half an hour gone and was replaced by Fernandinho.
Laporte was
able to make his own way off the pitch, giving City reason to be optimistic
that his absence will not be a long one.
able to make his own way off the pitch, giving City reason to be optimistic
that his absence will not be a long one.
Manchester City
boss Pep Guardiola to said “We
tried to come here to win the game and we did. This is just the first part. If
one team can overcome this situation, it’s this club.
boss Pep Guardiola to said “We
tried to come here to win the game and we did. This is just the first part. If
one team can overcome this situation, it’s this club.
Manchester
City will now switch their attention to the Carabao Cup final as they take on
Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday, 1 March (16:30 GMT).
City will now switch their attention to the Carabao Cup final as they take on
Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday, 1 March (16:30 GMT).
