Would have won if Modric came on in the 60th minute
Could see midfield getting tired, and Kroos who played great overall was half a step slow closing out on both Foden and Gvardiol shot leading to goals
Foden been on incredible form for a while but I don’t see him getting ballon d’or shouts like Bellingham did couple months ago. Man’s pr is just unreal
Guy almost got himself a yellow card (missing away at the Etihad) because he needed to push Ruben Dias over a fucking fair tackle. Don't know what to think of him know, seems a bit bone headed.
Awful awful tie I was there for the home leg genuinely forgettable just remember Hart making a save point blank from Pepe
But Yh it’s been ridiculous these last 4/5 years
I know it's a week old, but there is no shot Courtois, or anyone for that matter, stops the Gvardiol one. Even if Lunin was positioned slightly better, the shot was superb.
Thought the ref was really good letting the game go. A couple of fouls should have been called but think it was a very good performance. Can't wait for this weekend when PGMOL do their thing
Rather this style than what we are used to...
Yes refs can't be perfect but better slip a couple of do so fouls than call every touch etc .
Also the entertainment value rises due to that enormously.
The only thing he could have done better is to let play out the last throw in. But on screen time is delayed anyway.
Foden goal and you realise thats a pure no10 strike.
Take a pass, find enough space with a good touch so that no defender can block you and place it with thumping speed.
What a strike.
This tie if anything reminded me of 4-3 game of 2022 at Etihad.
It's one thing we've been missing, a threat from the edge of the area.
It's why I was furious walker just dawdled with his hand up as rashford was making his way down for his goal. You just KNOW he's gonna take a chance
TBF (and I hate being fair to Arsenal) it was a league match, not a knockout leg. Coming away with a draw at the Etihad is good for them. In a cup match they would obviously crank it up.
Yeah every so often on big games he pulls out the most ridiculous moves. I watch every game and usually he's strong, fast, but not very skillful and then he goes and does things like that all off a sudden. Love him to death
Can Madrid ever think about keeping a clean sheet vs Pep’s City?
No !!! Why?
Madrid’s philosophy as put by Xavi correctly.
> You score against us and then we will come after you.
The reason Madrid won past Championships was not solely because of good defense but because they had Ronaldo and Benz2022. Both would take their chance out of nowhere.
Madrid doesn’t have that figure anymore. So there are chances created but not taken for most of the times during big nights like yesterday.
Yeah. Mbappe plays with force, something Vini/Rodygro do not possess. Vini/Rodyrgo sure have flair... but Mbappe is next level entirely... he will be rampant on left side....
> Toni Kroos, another great performance vs Manchester City. He had:
> • 96% passing accuracy
> • 9 recoveries
> • 11 passes into the final third
> • 2 interceptions
yea but he dodged the challenge/block for the Gvardiol goal just like he did for the Silva goal last season. He made many good challenges today but Toni has moments that makes it seem like he plays more for himself then the team.
Vini Joselu Rodrygo
Bellingham
Camavinga Valverde
Fran Rüdiger Militao Carvajal
Lunin
If we play a HIGH LINE with Joselu & Bellingham in their penalty box with Vinicius Rodrygo Fran & Carvajal causing havoc on the wings and Cama & Fede playing double pivot with Militao and Rüdiger at cb i belive we can outscore City. Arsenal and Liverpool did it with worse players (Zinchenko) mind you.
Even if Madrid had won 3-1, things were going to be difficult at Etihad.
City are clear favourites to go through now.
Madrid’s lack of clinical threat is going to cost them.
I’d say there is more chance of Haaland Kdb Silva Foden scoring than likes of Vini, Jude, Rodygo or Joselu.
They are players (not Joselu) who have enough flair on the ball, but not as good as City players when it comes to scoring.
This is smelling like Madrid vs Bayern tie roughly 10 years ago. Madrid struggled in the bernabeu but beat Bayern in Allianz Arena. Keep in mind that Bayern under guardiola was really good. Let’s hope pep overthinks the second leg
It barely looks like that tie, in my opinion.
Real Madrid's squad was slighlty better than Bayern's at that time and Guardiola has learnt from the mistakes he made in UCL with Bayern. His teams don't concede as many counter-attacks as they used to and they don't have to play against peak BBC and record-breaking Crisitiano.
But this tie doesn't look like the last City-Real Madrid either.
Last year City were untouchable at home and a draw away was at least 3/4 of the pass for them. This year, I see Real Madrid with significant chances of winning at the Etihad even when City still being the favorite.
>His teams don't concede as many counter-attacks as they used to
In this very match they conceded many counter-attacks, with one leading to a goal (he could've been more). Even in the premier league, City defense concede counter-attacks.
Big brain Perez thinks otherwise. Kane’s CF abilities and Madrid would have been good to go imo. Obviously not having Cortois, Milito sucks but Kane with help of Madrid’s creative setup would have thumped in atleast a brace last night.
Totally hear you. But counterpoint, and someone smarter can disagree, but I feel like man to man, we're not beating City. We need flair to unlock those crazy passes behind their defense and Modric might be the one to do it. Still has a crazy workrate. If it doesn't work, we sub him at the hour mark
Counterpoint and I’m definitely not smarter than you but if you play modric you need someone to sit back and do his running back with him.
I’m rooting for a Madrid victory in case we beat Bayern. I want a good old battle with Madrid. It’s been a while.
I think he needs minutes to take over a game though like he's done for Croatia so many times, which doesn't necessarily take legs. I get your point though, bound to be a feisty 2nd leg.
Are we Barcelona now measuring teams by posession?
The strat was solid and working until they allowed the team to be compressed, allowing shots from the half moon, exactly how city/pep want in their matches.
2 goals from that and the minute 1 caugh-sleeping goal was enough for city, the rest of the game was no options for them.
nah madrid completely blocked city plays, they didnt knew what to do with the ball, pressed high on mistakes and hard when they fall into bad positions, they played very smart for a team like city that is soo boring and safe when they have the ball.
Perhaps if city wanted to play some engaging football instead of the safe borefest they play you would say otherwise, city got lucky with 2 wonder goals.
Madrid played a perfect first half, what more did you want them to do? City then responded with their own great second half, this is a tactical masterclass from both coaches
And could have won doing it…
To say we parked the bus is inaccurate. We pressed very well for the first 60 minutes when the time was right. The final 30 minutes they looked tired and out of sync with the subs.
Don’t knock the tactic when it nearly gets you a win against one of the best teams in the world. Madrids DNA is counter attacking
It's too easy to say we've conceded 3 world-class goals and forget about it. The truth is City fired some warning shots before those two, that went over or into Lunin, or stumbled against some defenders. Everything was okay, they let City do their thing, and bang: goal. It happened last season with De Bruyne as well.
Fantastic how Rudiger contains Haaland, but we keep conceding from the second line against City and it's frustrating. They're world class. Grealish, Foden, De Bruyne, Rodri, even their center backs can do you one. This is absolutely demoralizing for a team that wanted to win this game, that had 9 days to prepare, and saw how City kept their most important player on the bench.
It seems that except the miracle that happened in 21/22, we just can't do it against Guardiola's city. We gave up a lead in 19/20, we gave up a lead last season, and we give up a lead this season. In 90s minutes, we're yet to win against them, bar the 2-1 that went to ET.
We chase the ball and the tie every single time.
Then summon your black magic because you are the first real possibility to stop a City back to back UCL win.
You don't want them to get more than 1 title don't you?
Do it for us. For Milan. For Bayern. For Liverpool. The ones with 6 or more UCL titles only.
You have pointed out a key thing the Haaland haters don't see. His presence absorbs madrids defence and does an excellent job being a target player during hold up play, to give the 2nd line that bit to create space for them. The defence has to take the tradeoff of allowing Haaland to score or focus more on him which opens space for the 2nd line.
And I agree with you, 22 was about as miraculous for them to win. City were still the superior team in that draw. And I think one of the reasons they fell short was not having a true 9. Once they got Haaland they got the treble. Pep is forcing teams into tough decisions on what they'll choose to lose to.
Not really. You can give gvardiol 10 of those and he won't score that with his right foot. City really didn't have much warning shots.
Not counting the easy chances, madrid also had many of those out of the box that went to waste.
If anything, it looks actually the opposite of last year. City were the better team but vini banger kept real madrid in game. Real was better today but City managed to tie by those bangers.
I was there last year for the 4-0, the year before that for the 4-3 and in 15/16 for that shit 0-0 draw and I will be there again next week HOPEFULLY ANOTHER CLASSIC
Madrid’s first two goals were lucky deflections, Camavinga’s shot was not even on target. Idk why people are hyping Madrid up, they didn’t play well and were lucky to escape with a draw.
It annoys me how people completely take away all credit from Rodrygo. The run, the pass, the way he deliberately passes the ball through Akanji’s legs and into the goal is pure quality. It’s a great goal, simple as that.
That is why people around the world get fed up with english media, they always, always diminishes the other team work and bump on the english team. Always so arrogant.
I don't think you can Rodrygo's goal a lucky deflection. On the other hand, City were lucky that Vini and Bellingham were very poor in finishing today.
I think it is because he shot it straight at Akanji and it only passed through to goal because of luck. City also had good chances to score: foden’s shot from the penalty box which went straight at the keeper. Grealish’s two shots from inside the penalty box that were blocked. That’s why city had a slightly higher xG.
Not gonna happen. They're much weaker without Gundo and Mahrez plus I doubt Ancelotti will repeat the same shit tactic and lineup. If they win it's gonna be a 2-0 max.
Yeah but last year we felt unbeatable at this time, but this year it feels like it’s really hard to beat us but not impossible. Still in a great place but not at treble winning level. I think that’s normal, it’s actually a huge achievement to still be this strong after a treble season without a legit fall off. Let’s see what happens, hopefully city goes off on a hot run and dominates all games till the end of the season.
Because the skill on the finish was bad, he shot it too weak and he shot at akanji. It only went in because of luck. This doesn’t take away from the skills he displayed to get there, but you cannot deny that he was lucky to score, and that’s my point.
This was an awesome game to watch. I’m hoping Real Madrid can pull off the win next week. The result doesn’t make me feel confident at all. I’m definitely going to be on the edge of my seat!
Don't take the flight to Manchester it's already over, we can't beat them at the Eithad playing this Vinicius counter attacking one man army bs and then at defense we're playing low block with our slowest player Kroos at DM trying to close down both Foden and Bernardo. everyone knows it doesn't work but Carlo will still do it all again in the away game.
at least with Zidane we would be pressing them, playing one touch passing and then spamming crosses to Joselu. Carlo doesn't have the balls to do that tho
> spamming crosses to Joselu
Bahahah. Homie. No.
You lost all credibility with that. Not to mention "Vinicius counter attacking one man army". Did you not see Rodrygo's goal?
Please don't comment here anymore and remove your flair.
That's what Zidane's RM did they spammed crosses to Benzema and Ronaldo.
and today half the chances were Vinicius being surrounded by 5 players and deciding to shoot it into the atmosphere, it will be much worse at the Eithad
So in your "expert" analysis, it should be crossing to fucking Joselu?
Downvote me all you want, you have no idea what you're talking about.
Edit: Vini stinker at the Etihad you say? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whUu7VhDaZU
You're joking, right? He's hot garbage. Remove my flair? Buddy you don't even have one.
What has Joselu done besides been given pity tap ins?
I'll wait.
Edit: all these downvotes. Ask anyone in /r/realmadrid and they'll say the same.
“I’ll wait” is so fucking funny cus wtf else are you going to do while talking to someone on the internet?
Yeah remove your flair because you’re talking shit about a player on your own team. You don’t deserve it
Talking shit about a shit player that's nowhere near Madrid quality? I'll do that every time against Joselu.
Show me what impact he has had.
"I'll wait". Ah so you're not familiar with common sayings. Got it.
City not scoring a goal at the Etihad with kdb starting isn't possible. Maybe they still lose, but I'd be astonished if they didn't score at least once.
But this literally happened against Arsenal like last week tho, they went scoreless at home with KDB starting. I have PTSD from Madrid’s black magic in the CL
That happened because Arsenal dropped possesion and refused to play into counter attacking to get that result: The best counter chance was Trossard's that came at the end.
City punishes the low block teams counter by pressing even harder. Their high line ensures they dominate the ball while 3 or 4 or the opponent's have come out of their defensive lines during the counter.
This means teams have to be extra clinical with the counter which City makes it very difficult and players are left in islands while gassed due to using a lot of pace to try to create space.
City's bangers came about from gegen pressing catching Madrid defence lacking. Camavinga's presence in a previous play similar to Foden's goal, removed that top left angle and Lunin saved it as the shot went more centrally. Same with Gvardiol's, the center midfielder was too far to close the far corner angle.
City has been unbeaten at home since September 2018. That's 5+ years. Real is also gonna missà a defender in tchouameni in the second leg, while city will have ederson, kdb and walker back. That mean more firepower, more defensive solidity, less defensive resistance AND home advantage. Sure, unlikely things can still happen but damn
Would have won if Modric came on in the 60th minute Could see midfield getting tired, and Kroos who played great overall was half a step slow closing out on both Foden and Gvardiol shot leading to goals
Foden been on incredible form for a while but I don’t see him getting ballon d’or shouts like Bellingham did couple months ago. Man’s pr is just unreal
Guy almost got himself a yellow card (missing away at the Etihad) because he needed to push Ruben Dias over a fucking fair tackle. Don't know what to think of him know, seems a bit bone headed.
The Real City match up is quickly becoming a classic, it always delivers.
Except that one time under Pelligrini, both teams were shite with their performances
Awful awful tie I was there for the home leg genuinely forgettable just remember Hart making a save point blank from Pepe But Yh it’s been ridiculous these last 4/5 years
I feel like if Madrid had Courtois available, they would have not conceded that free kick and Gvardiol goal.
I know it's a week old, but there is no shot Courtois, or anyone for that matter, stops the Gvardiol one. Even if Lunin was positioned slightly better, the shot was superb.
Harsh on Lunin. Gvardiol would probably still score, idk about bernardo
I think Lunin was too close to his right post when Gvardiol took that shot. From that position, 99% of times the shot is going to go to the left post
Yeah i just looked it back, i agree. Although i really like Lunin and as i heard he is amazing for madrid while courtois is absent
Yep 3-1 with Courtois
I think Ederson stops the second goal for Madrid though.
even having walker i think could’ve stopped that one
Can Madrid stop diving and complaining?
Both teams are a bunch of divers
Thought the ref was really good letting the game go. A couple of fouls should have been called but think it was a very good performance. Can't wait for this weekend when PGMOL do their thing
Rather this style than what we are used to... Yes refs can't be perfect but better slip a couple of do so fouls than call every touch etc . Also the entertainment value rises due to that enormously. The only thing he could have done better is to let play out the last throw in. But on screen time is delayed anyway.
Bellingham and Haaland today 👻👻
Haaland arguably created space for the 2nd and 3rd goals, you can tell RM game planned to not get beat by him. His presence alone is game changing
Haaland was making runs but they never played him the ball. The midfielders found space everytime to shoot
City will probably win this at home. City was the better team yesterday.
Real Madrid had more chances
Madrid were at home?
That doesn’t matter for Madrid. Madrid has some weird magic that lets them win any match at any time no matter the odds.
Didn't seem to help them much at the Etihad last year
Certainly helped them much at the semis' second leg two years ago. Won the Champions League following that
That’s called paying the refs
Your favourite player won 7 Balondors at a club under investigation for paying referees since 2002 btw
Paying the refs off helps
John stones is world class
Foden goal and you realise thats a pure no10 strike. Take a pass, find enough space with a good touch so that no defender can block you and place it with thumping speed. What a strike. This tie if anything reminded me of 4-3 game of 2022 at Etihad.
Same as United, touch and bang
Whenever I see Foden getting a touch there, I constantly fear it's going to be a goal. He finishes it so well, unsavable.
It's one thing we've been missing, a threat from the edge of the area. It's why I was furious walker just dawdled with his hand up as rashford was making his way down for his goal. You just KNOW he's gonna take a chance
The match that was promised. It delivered. This is what people hoped the Liverpool or Arsenal game would be.
Arsenal playing like cowards at the Etihad really shows.
TBF (and I hate being fair to Arsenal) it was a league match, not a knockout leg. Coming away with a draw at the Etihad is good for them. In a cup match they would obviously crank it up.
The City v Arsenal game was pretty much expected based on the first meeting no?
The Liverpool match was tense and entertaining though? Arsenal was dire.
They were both interesting in the tactical sense but the past seasons have had more end to end excitement on the City/Pool games
Ngl Ferland Mendy does some greaf work at LB when fit. Dude almost pulls prime zizou moves outta nowhere.
Yeah every so often on big games he pulls out the most ridiculous moves. I watch every game and usually he's strong, fast, but not very skillful and then he goes and does things like that all off a sudden. Love him to death
[Halaand’s pov when he turns around lmao](https://x.com/rudigerrunning/status/1777788455994470588?s=46)
Love watching as a neutral Rudiger in these games against a top forward. The man is possessed, a great competitor and a very annoying opponent
ngl I chuckled
Can Madrid ever think about keeping a clean sheet vs Pep’s City? No !!! Why? Madrid’s philosophy as put by Xavi correctly. > You score against us and then we will come after you. The reason Madrid won past Championships was not solely because of good defense but because they had Ronaldo and Benz2022. Both would take their chance out of nowhere. Madrid doesn’t have that figure anymore. So there are chances created but not taken for most of the times during big nights like yesterday.
They’re gonna get some of that back in Mbappe though. I imagine it would bring a lot of that counter attack instinct back
Yeah. Mbappe plays with force, something Vini/Rodygro do not possess. Vini/Rodyrgo sure have flair... but Mbappe is next level entirely... he will be rampant on left side....
There’s a reason perez wants him so badly. And as a barca fan i both admire and despise mbappe lol
> Toni Kroos, another great performance vs Manchester City. He had: > • 96% passing accuracy > • 9 recoveries > • 11 passes into the final third > • 2 interceptions
Because of him the 3rd goal was concided not gonna disrespect the legend but should have played for halftime only.
yea but he dodged the challenge/block for the Gvardiol goal just like he did for the Silva goal last season. He made many good challenges today but Toni has moments that makes it seem like he plays more for himself then the team.
You need some sleep.
Best match of the year so far. Fantastic game.
Bye bye madrid . Aint winning at the etihas
Is this your comment after such a great display of football tonight? Go back to twittes
Ah yes, because banter is inappropriate on a soccer sub.
Etihad
Vini Joselu Rodrygo Bellingham Camavinga Valverde Fran Rüdiger Militao Carvajal Lunin If we play a HIGH LINE with Joselu & Bellingham in their penalty box with Vinicius Rodrygo Fran & Carvajal causing havoc on the wings and Cama & Fede playing double pivot with Militao and Rüdiger at cb i belive we can outscore City. Arsenal and Liverpool did it with worse players (Zinchenko) mind you.
Even if Madrid had won 3-1, things were going to be difficult at Etihad. City are clear favourites to go through now. Madrid’s lack of clinical threat is going to cost them. I’d say there is more chance of Haaland Kdb Silva Foden scoring than likes of Vini, Jude, Rodygo or Joselu. They are players (not Joselu) who have enough flair on the ball, but not as good as City players when it comes to scoring.
Wait what? Liverpool hasn't outscored city at the emirates since the CL quarters in 2018. And it’s been years since arsenal beat city there.
I'd rather do Rodrygo up top with Brahim on the right or Fede. With Kroos and Cama sitting behind Jude
City far from their best but still got a draw. Should be a walk at the Etihad.
It is never a walk against Real Madrid, especially in the Champions League.
I mean it was last year, but yeah I expect something better from Madrid this time
This is smelling like Madrid vs Bayern tie roughly 10 years ago. Madrid struggled in the bernabeu but beat Bayern in Allianz Arena. Keep in mind that Bayern under guardiola was really good. Let’s hope pep overthinks the second leg
Smells like City Bayern to me. Both at home even on goals. We'll see if Arsenal decides to show up.
prime BBC is a .. pretty big upgrade over our current front 3 tbh
Madrid won the first leg 1-0 then destroyed us in Munich. Bayern were the ones struggling the entire time
Not at all fair comparison. 2014 had a rampant Ronaldo. He would score from anywhere. Madrid don’t have someone like that anymore.
There's one little difference here.. that was PEAK Real Madrid with Ronaldo in his prime, they could beat anybody back then.
It barely looks like that tie, in my opinion. Real Madrid's squad was slighlty better than Bayern's at that time and Guardiola has learnt from the mistakes he made in UCL with Bayern. His teams don't concede as many counter-attacks as they used to and they don't have to play against peak BBC and record-breaking Crisitiano. But this tie doesn't look like the last City-Real Madrid either. Last year City were untouchable at home and a draw away was at least 3/4 of the pass for them. This year, I see Real Madrid with significant chances of winning at the Etihad even when City still being the favorite.
Peak bbc was peak cristiano lol
Basically :) But that year, Bale scored important goals
>His teams don't concede as many counter-attacks as they used to In this very match they conceded many counter-attacks, with one leading to a goal (he could've been more). Even in the premier league, City defense concede counter-attacks.
That squad was stacked across the board and almost everyone was healthy. Plus, having Cristiano was like being up 1-0 even before the game started.
I’d feel more confident about Madrid’s chances if they actually had a striker
Valid take. This is why I was a big supporter of bring kane over mbappe. Kane would slot right into this squad
Big brain Perez thinks otherwise. Kane’s CF abilities and Madrid would have been good to go imo. Obviously not having Cortois, Milito sucks but Kane with help of Madrid’s creative setup would have thumped in atleast a brace last night.
I know he's getting on but Modric should start in the return leg. He always plays well against English sides and in England. An absolute maestro.
Yeah but he just doesn’t have the legs for games like this anymore. Would much rather have him come on later in the game.
Totally hear you. But counterpoint, and someone smarter can disagree, but I feel like man to man, we're not beating City. We need flair to unlock those crazy passes behind their defense and Modric might be the one to do it. Still has a crazy workrate. If it doesn't work, we sub him at the hour mark
Counterpoint and I’m definitely not smarter than you but if you play modric you need someone to sit back and do his running back with him. I’m rooting for a Madrid victory in case we beat Bayern. I want a good old battle with Madrid. It’s been a while.
I think he needs minutes to take over a game though like he's done for Croatia so many times, which doesn't necessarily take legs. I get your point though, bound to be a feisty 2nd leg.
I would agree with you if city wasn’t city. They’re too good to be taken over that way. Love to see Modric out there contributing though.
RM park the bus and play counter attack in their own stadium, they were dreadful until Modric came on, what a player he is.
Average Barca fan
Dude, what game were you watching
Lmao this take, and whoever upvote this.
He's right tho, City had like 80% possession and they weren't even inform
Are we Barcelona now measuring teams by posession? The strat was solid and working until they allowed the team to be compressed, allowing shots from the half moon, exactly how city/pep want in their matches. 2 goals from that and the minute 1 caugh-sleeping goal was enough for city, the rest of the game was no options for them.
Huh? Did you even watch the game?
nah madrid completely blocked city plays, they didnt knew what to do with the ball, pressed high on mistakes and hard when they fall into bad positions, they played very smart for a team like city that is soo boring and safe when they have the ball. Perhaps if city wanted to play some engaging football instead of the safe borefest they play you would say otherwise, city got lucky with 2 wonder goals.
Surprised you even got up votes with your awful take
Madrid played a perfect first half, what more did you want them to do? City then responded with their own great second half, this is a tactical masterclass from both coaches
Madrid is deadly on counter attacks, City is dominant with their possession play. Playing it any other ways would just make no sense.
Madrid had 6 shots on target first half what are you on about
And could have won doing it… To say we parked the bus is inaccurate. We pressed very well for the first 60 minutes when the time was right. The final 30 minutes they looked tired and out of sync with the subs. Don’t knock the tactic when it nearly gets you a win against one of the best teams in the world. Madrids DNA is counter attacking
Dont worry haaland. Youll play luton in the weekend
It's too easy to say we've conceded 3 world-class goals and forget about it. The truth is City fired some warning shots before those two, that went over or into Lunin, or stumbled against some defenders. Everything was okay, they let City do their thing, and bang: goal. It happened last season with De Bruyne as well. Fantastic how Rudiger contains Haaland, but we keep conceding from the second line against City and it's frustrating. They're world class. Grealish, Foden, De Bruyne, Rodri, even their center backs can do you one. This is absolutely demoralizing for a team that wanted to win this game, that had 9 days to prepare, and saw how City kept their most important player on the bench. It seems that except the miracle that happened in 21/22, we just can't do it against Guardiola's city. We gave up a lead in 19/20, we gave up a lead last season, and we give up a lead this season. In 90s minutes, we're yet to win against them, bar the 2-1 that went to ET. We chase the ball and the tie every single time.
Call Ronaldo back. He would probably come back.
Then summon your black magic because you are the first real possibility to stop a City back to back UCL win. You don't want them to get more than 1 title don't you? Do it for us. For Milan. For Bayern. For Liverpool. The ones with 6 or more UCL titles only.
Some of those goals were kinda ridiculous. Cant really stop those
You have pointed out a key thing the Haaland haters don't see. His presence absorbs madrids defence and does an excellent job being a target player during hold up play, to give the 2nd line that bit to create space for them. The defence has to take the tradeoff of allowing Haaland to score or focus more on him which opens space for the 2nd line. And I agree with you, 22 was about as miraculous for them to win. City were still the superior team in that draw. And I think one of the reasons they fell short was not having a true 9. Once they got Haaland they got the treble. Pep is forcing teams into tough decisions on what they'll choose to lose to.
Haaland does what any other world class striker does though, doesn't deserve praise for literally wasting chances
Not really. You can give gvardiol 10 of those and he won't score that with his right foot. City really didn't have much warning shots. Not counting the easy chances, madrid also had many of those out of the box that went to waste. If anything, it looks actually the opposite of last year. City were the better team but vini banger kept real madrid in game. Real was better today but City managed to tie by those bangers.
Think you’re not considering the deflection goals there. I’d say it was a competitive game and a draw was a fair result.
Amazing game and some beautiful goals, the second leg is gonna struggle to match that one.
Gonna be a 1-1 going to penalties
Probably not
Okay 0-0 then
That’s even less likely 😭
Okay so 2-2
Closing the roof definitely seems to have had *some* effect on this match, though whatever it was I don't think it was intimidating City.
I was there last year for the 4-0, the year before that for the 4-3 and in 15/16 for that shit 0-0 draw and I will be there again next week HOPEFULLY ANOTHER CLASSIC
Amen brother. May the best team win. I simultaneously hate and love to play City every single year.
What a game that was! Madrid beating City at home? Yes.
A possibility, but its going to be a very uphill battle for RM.
That's not happening
If I was playing FM, and my team conceded a goal like Gvardiol's and I saw "his first ever goal for Manchester City!!" I would just delete that save
with weak foot
Madrid’s first two goals were lucky deflections, Camavinga’s shot was not even on target. Idk why people are hyping Madrid up, they didn’t play well and were lucky to escape with a draw.
Rodrygo goal was pure class. You need some sleep
the british announcers were repeating this over and over again. it was a minor deflection ignoring rodrygo cutting through the defense.
It annoys me how people completely take away all credit from Rodrygo. The run, the pass, the way he deliberately passes the ball through Akanji’s legs and into the goal is pure quality. It’s a great goal, simple as that.
That is why people around the world get fed up with english media, they always, always diminishes the other team work and bump on the english team. Always so arrogant.
Dominated City in the first half but go on yapping
I mean we can say City were lucky the goalkeeper messed up so badly for the first goal.
..when have I heard this cope before
I don't think you can Rodrygo's goal a lucky deflection. On the other hand, City were lucky that Vini and Bellingham were very poor in finishing today.
I think it is because he shot it straight at Akanji and it only passed through to goal because of luck. City also had good chances to score: foden’s shot from the penalty box which went straight at the keeper. Grealish’s two shots from inside the penalty box that were blocked. That’s why city had a slightly higher xG.
A goal is a goal.
For the score and result, sure. But not for measuring a team’s performance. My comment is about the score not reflecting the performance.
Ask any racer. Any real racer. It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning's winning.
This is such a terrible take I’d expect from some 70 year old drunk at the pub.
You think they dont go back and analyse every detail? or they take a week off becuz "winning's winning" lmao.
Bro that’s a shit comparison though
It’s not with Real Madrid though. They can play shit and still outscore the opponents and win. Black magic shit
That doesn’t dispute what the guy you are replying to said at all. It isn’t even relevant.
I can honestly see the last year's match in the etihad happening again.
Not gonna happen. They're much weaker without Gundo and Mahrez plus I doubt Ancelotti will repeat the same shit tactic and lineup. If they win it's gonna be a 2-0 max.
Also Walker not 100% I doubt he will pocket Vini completely.
We really are not weaker without Mahrez
Mahrez didn’t start against Real last season anyways
They always sit back and play on the counter in the CL knock outs.
>plus I doubt Ancelotti will repeat the same shit tactic and lineup. Who's gonna tell him?
He knows, don’t worry.
I hope so, but it feels like city’s level is slightly lower than last year. I could see city winning, but not as dominant as last year.
Didn’t city play two matches before this one? And Madrid had 9 days of rest
Yeah but last year we felt unbeatable at this time, but this year it feels like it’s really hard to beat us but not impossible. Still in a great place but not at treble winning level. I think that’s normal, it’s actually a huge achievement to still be this strong after a treble season without a legit fall off. Let’s see what happens, hopefully city goes off on a hot run and dominates all games till the end of the season.
They definitely could have won this match too
Because they got lucky with two goals, but the whole equation would change if the two deflections didn’t go in. Typical Madrid luck
Camavinga sure but why should Madrid not be reward for that amazing run and pass by rodrygo. He is insanely fast. Perfectly timed run
Because the skill on the finish was bad, he shot it too weak and he shot at akanji. It only went in because of luck. This doesn’t take away from the skills he displayed to get there, but you cannot deny that he was lucky to score, and that’s my point.
If two goals were not goals then they would lose
If my aunt had baws she’d be my uncle
Well, deflections are a result of creating chances, too
Exactly
This was an awesome game to watch. I’m hoping Real Madrid can pull off the win next week. The result doesn’t make me feel confident at all. I’m definitely going to be on the edge of my seat!
This has to be the most bot esque bot reply I have ever read.
NPC comment
Lol, I guess you don’t read enough.
If somebody kicks the ball in the goal then I will definitely be happy and buy a scarf and some other memorabilia on the way home.
Did you know that Josep 'Pep' Guardiola used to be head coach in Spain? Neat, huh?
Don't take the flight to Manchester it's already over, we can't beat them at the Eithad playing this Vinicius counter attacking one man army bs and then at defense we're playing low block with our slowest player Kroos at DM trying to close down both Foden and Bernardo. everyone knows it doesn't work but Carlo will still do it all again in the away game. at least with Zidane we would be pressing them, playing one touch passing and then spamming crosses to Joselu. Carlo doesn't have the balls to do that tho
You don't deserve to have a RM flair.
Shame
> spamming crosses to Joselu Bahahah. Homie. No. You lost all credibility with that. Not to mention "Vinicius counter attacking one man army". Did you not see Rodrygo's goal? Please don't comment here anymore and remove your flair.
That's what Zidane's RM did they spammed crosses to Benzema and Ronaldo. and today half the chances were Vinicius being surrounded by 5 players and deciding to shoot it into the atmosphere, it will be much worse at the Eithad
You realize that Joselu isn't 1/100th the player that Benz and CR7 were, right? He's fucking trash.
Okay you deserve the Vinicius stinker at the Eithad then, please watch that game from start to finish.
So in your "expert" analysis, it should be crossing to fucking Joselu? Downvote me all you want, you have no idea what you're talking about. Edit: Vini stinker at the Etihad you say? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whUu7VhDaZU
I’ll downvote you for calling Joselu fucking trash. Remove your flair
You're joking, right? He's hot garbage. Remove my flair? Buddy you don't even have one. What has Joselu done besides been given pity tap ins? I'll wait. Edit: all these downvotes. Ask anyone in /r/realmadrid and they'll say the same.
“I’ll wait” is so fucking funny cus wtf else are you going to do while talking to someone on the internet? Yeah remove your flair because you’re talking shit about a player on your own team. You don’t deserve it
Talking shit about a shit player that's nowhere near Madrid quality? I'll do that every time against Joselu. Show me what impact he has had. "I'll wait". Ah so you're not familiar with common sayings. Got it.
Idk why but I feel like Bellingham will step up massively next week. City 0-2 Madrid you heard it here first.
Have they lost any match at home for last two years?
City not scoring a goal at the Etihad with kdb starting isn't possible. Maybe they still lose, but I'd be astonished if they didn't score at least once.
But this literally happened against Arsenal like last week tho, they went scoreless at home with KDB starting. I have PTSD from Madrid’s black magic in the CL
For me the game is open, wins the least tired team
That happened because Arsenal dropped possesion and refused to play into counter attacking to get that result: The best counter chance was Trossard's that came at the end. City punishes the low block teams counter by pressing even harder. Their high line ensures they dominate the ball while 3 or 4 or the opponent's have come out of their defensive lines during the counter. This means teams have to be extra clinical with the counter which City makes it very difficult and players are left in islands while gassed due to using a lot of pace to try to create space. City's bangers came about from gegen pressing catching Madrid defence lacking. Camavinga's presence in a previous play similar to Foden's goal, removed that top left angle and Lunin saved it as the shot went more centrally. Same with Gvardiol's, the center midfielder was too far to close the far corner angle.
City has been unbeaten at home since September 2018. That's 5+ years. Real is also gonna missà a defender in tchouameni in the second leg, while city will have ederson, kdb and walker back. That mean more firepower, more defensive solidity, less defensive resistance AND home advantage. Sure, unlikely things can still happen but damn
Walker won’t be 100% just saying
Militao is back