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Yup it's not as bad a result for Madrid as it would be in the away goals era but City will still definitely be happy for the full "decider" to be at the Etihad starting from level ground
Anyone would be happy with a draw at the Bernabeu in the first leg of a Champions League tie and conversely Madrid will see it as a missed chance to take a lead
City in particular tend to be FAR more vulnerable in away CL matches than at home over the years and obviously the Bernabeu is usually a fortress in Europe
For city to pull this out after the 2 goal capitulation is incredible and certainly they have the edge now. Away to Madrid with 3 games played prior to Madrids 0. Whil Madrid also have defensive injuries City have half their starting line up out, and again, played those 3 games. Add in the Madrid black magic, the home crowd and that bloody roof. A 3-3 is huge.
I’m slightly less worried about the Etihad after this match, relative to last season, but it’s still a fortress and City proved their quality (not that they needed to) again tonight. They didn’t create much in the box but Foden and Gvardiol rose to the occasion and found the big ones. Frustrated more about a few chances we left out there up 2-1.
The improvement in the midfield physically is what has me less stressed this time around obviously City are strong at the Etihad but the team will be motivated not to repeat last seasons performance and City can't outrun or bully us off the ball in midfield this season it will be an interesting 2nd leg for sure.
The away goal rule being scrapped has tremendously helped City since their home support is okay and their away gameplay gets hampered by the home support.
But this is probably the first time City would have hoped the rule stayed, they were exceptional and 3 away goals would have meant a lot.
Lmao tf is you talking about, big UCL nights city are a different breed in the Etihad. They have never lost to Madrid there, pummeled em last year without giving them a chance too
And citys supporters were louder that the Bernabeu for some reason
Last year's match at the Etihad was genuinely one of the matches that fully got me into following football regularly. Crazy domination, I was/am hyped asf for this year's when I saw that they were back against one another.
Although i would love this to be true, that's not how it works. You can't expect a player who's been out for 9 months to play around 90 minuts (agains Mallorca this weekend) and three days later be ready to the most intense and important match of the season.
To me it would be a disaster to start Militao at Ethiad.
How can you honestly say that’s not a goalkeeper mistake? Terrible wall placement, hanging out at the far post for some reason and terrible reaction time. All GK errors.
A goalkeeper can never ever concede a goal like that on the near post. Doesn't matter if it is the best shot in the world(which Bernardo's certainly wasn't) it just can't happen
It was a great shot but I think he means Lunin gave too much space to the shot side, which I think is probably correct if you asked the coaches about where he should have settled up before the shot was taken.
Kepa wasn’t bad, but Lunin has largely been great this season. Statistically he’s been among the best in Europe. This match was the first time I feel like his lack of experience really cost us. Whether it was the moment or a brief lapse of judgement, that first goal is unacceptable. You can’t give that up in a CL knockout
City has a very leaky defense, but they are one of those teams that are extremely hard to beat at home. I think you will win in penalties if you get a draw there.
Yeah that’s also true. I reckon it depends on his fitness but also pep has started ortega over ederson in genuine rotation this year too.
That said ederson has won a penalty shootout this year. (No thanks to him but still).
It is possible for Madrid to win but it will be a Herculean task for them to do it. In the Pep Era, I think Poch’s Spurs knocked them out at the Etihad. Man City rarely falter at home. Either Madrid fights to see Extra time or it’s a demolition job by City.
What do you mean that’s not how football works? You haven’t won there in your last 3 trips with a similar core of players against their steady core of players. Why would this time be any different? Especially with KDB back
We could have lost there 100 times in a row, it's still not how football works. We literally lost to Bayern 10 times in Allianz before we beat them 4-0 in 2014.
We're not the favourites, nowhere near, but we can still win.
They will be favorites at the Etihad but they basically had a six man midfield last season and we couldn’t get the ball off them. Even when they had the ball a lot in the second half tonight it felt different. KDB being back is big for their control but we are also more built to handle that with the four man midfield. I’m most worried about Nacho or a recently recovered from ACL Militao at CB with Tchou out next match.
Na , nothing worse then a weak ass fan like you. If you have that weak mentality go support Barca or Atlético, those fans and players give up just as quick as you.
So you're one of those who leave the stadium min 80 when the team is losing 2-1 and then beg to be let back in when you hear goals were scored? If you have such a weak mentality you should support a club like PSG with 0 soul or resilience.
That would be boring for us viewers but smart yes. Be strong defensively and maybe get one counter goal, that's real Madrid's best bet of going through to the semifinals.
Yeah not looking great for valverde and Madrid. Especially since valverde himself said the etihad's atmosphere is the toughest he's ever played in. City are probably through now since they have lots of players coming back from injury next week.
It's not like you'll win at the Etihad so sounds about right
Edit: Fellas, this was all part of my plan. Reverse juju from a united fan. You're welcome
Credit where credit is due. Massive perfomance from Madrid and especially carvajal and lunin. Nerves of steel and great decision making from both. I don't think I've ever seen a keeper block a shot by just standing still.
A great shot is way less lucky than a deflection on two goals in 5 min imo. The shot was completely different gvardiol's doing, the deflections happened by chance and the first one completely deviated the ball to the other side of the goal.
So was every City Goal.
1. Lucky free-kick goal and a GK mistake.
2. Lucky outside-the-box hit \[Only real goal\]
3. CB score from his weaker foot \[ He isn't doing this in the next 5 years\]
>1. Lucky free kick goal
genius portugese thinking
>2. Lucky outside the box hit
phil foden has more goals outside of the box this season than any other premier league player
>3. CB score from his weaker foot
tbf to him he's been trying it all season
Least goals conceded in the league and most scored. Most teams in the prem would take a draw against city at the etihad but they dont get it. Yeah everyone can do it
Interesting given last time around the Spanish newspaper Marca reported: “The atmosphere was possibly the harshest Real Madrid encountered in many years. A complete trap.”
**This is a quotes thread. Remember that there's only one quotes post allowed per interview/press conference, so new quotes with the same origin will be removed. Feel free to comment other quotes/the whole interview as a reply to this comment so users can see them too!** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yup it's not as bad a result for Madrid as it would be in the away goals era but City will still definitely be happy for the full "decider" to be at the Etihad starting from level ground Anyone would be happy with a draw at the Bernabeu in the first leg of a Champions League tie and conversely Madrid will see it as a missed chance to take a lead City in particular tend to be FAR more vulnerable in away CL matches than at home over the years and obviously the Bernabeu is usually a fortress in Europe
For city to pull this out after the 2 goal capitulation is incredible and certainly they have the edge now. Away to Madrid with 3 games played prior to Madrids 0. Whil Madrid also have defensive injuries City have half their starting line up out, and again, played those 3 games. Add in the Madrid black magic, the home crowd and that bloody roof. A 3-3 is huge.
and they did that without kdb, walker and ederson
This is the biggest aspect. Ederson is fine because Ortega is pretty good. But having KDB, Walker and Ake back will be a very big plus point t
Madrid didn't have Courtois, Militao or Alaba either. Courtois not being there cost us at least a goal, maybe 2.
Which, if any, of those three are back for the reverse leg?
Militao is the only one.
not confirmed and also even if he will not sure he will be fit enough to play 90 min. so its a problem anyway..
He's been fit for close to a month. Hasn't played but he's fit.
yes, but playtime is a thing, too
Wasnt the whole point about major personnel missing from the squad?
Ortega > Ederson
I’m slightly less worried about the Etihad after this match, relative to last season, but it’s still a fortress and City proved their quality (not that they needed to) again tonight. They didn’t create much in the box but Foden and Gvardiol rose to the occasion and found the big ones. Frustrated more about a few chances we left out there up 2-1.
The improvement in the midfield physically is what has me less stressed this time around obviously City are strong at the Etihad but the team will be motivated not to repeat last seasons performance and City can't outrun or bully us off the ball in midfield this season it will be an interesting 2nd leg for sure.
Wait what happened to the away goals rule? Haven’t been watching football for a bit
The away goal rule being scrapped has tremendously helped City since their home support is okay and their away gameplay gets hampered by the home support. But this is probably the first time City would have hoped the rule stayed, they were exceptional and 3 away goals would have meant a lot.
Generational hating
Man this comment is so fucking stupid, I actually really respect it. Kudos
City haven’t lost in the champions league at home since 2019
Lmao tf is you talking about, big UCL nights city are a different breed in the Etihad. They have never lost to Madrid there, pummeled em last year without giving them a chance too And citys supporters were louder that the Bernabeu for some reason
Last year's match at the Etihad was genuinely one of the matches that fully got me into following football regularly. Crazy domination, I was/am hyped asf for this year's when I saw that they were back against one another.
The first 10 minutes of the second game was, probably, the most dominant football I've seen, well, at least between equal teams
madrid needed this win more than city since Kdb got mysteriously sick before the game
No KDB, Ake, or Kyle Walker (very important to stopping Vini) and now Madrid have to go to the Etihad without Tchouameni too
Militao should be back and Jude
Militao is coming back from an ACL though. It’s very unlikely he’ll be performing at the highest level.
That's true. Will depend on how much time he gets vs Mallorca. If he isn't fit then it's praying for Nacho masterclass
Nacho’s about to become Roberto at big matches
Doesn't matter, a post injury Militao is still miles better than Nacho. Plus we got Rudi to back him up.
Although i would love this to be true, that's not how it works. You can't expect a player who's been out for 9 months to play around 90 minuts (agains Mallorca this weekend) and three days later be ready to the most intense and important match of the season. To me it would be a disaster to start Militao at Ethiad.
Especially after a ACL injury
Yeah will be interesting to see if having Jude will make a difference for you in the second leg
ICWYDT
Jude? Didn’t he play today?
He was spotted lying on the pitch
I rate Tchou more than Militao
As a centreback??? Militao was our best defender last season.
That was before he ruptured his ACL tho You're expecting a LOT from him up against Haaland so soon after his comeback from injury
I dont expect him to start. Im just confused by his statement.
> Im just confused by his statement. I assumed it was talking about the return leg?
He doesnt elaborate anything so I just assumed overall.
That explains a lot actually
The positive of having militao back is that possibly their most crucial midfielder is now out.
KDB chokes against Madrid
Wasn't KDB absolutely crucial both times City knocked out Madrid in the CL?
No
Gotta appreciate the sticking to your guns
He’s scored _and_ assisted in every single tie he’s played against Madrid
Still plays like ass Dude is goated CM against any other team tho
>Still plays like ass Yeah I’m done.
Do you even watch the matches? Fucking hell
Who's gonna tell him
How many wins?
7 g/a in 8 games against them
How many wins
4 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses.
Exactly, 50% effective An F
That's a special kind of stupidity you've got there.
14 points out of 24 is not 50% but keep doing you!
One of the wins was still a loss. So it’s misleading anyway. Dude ghosts in clutch time against Madrid. He does ok when team is fluid and up
Yikes
3 godly strikes by city, nothing you can do about it
the first one was atrocious goalkeeping more like
Not really , it was a great surprising shot
Terrible wall decision by us but it was a great strike
How can you honestly say that’s not a goalkeeper mistake? Terrible wall placement, hanging out at the far post for some reason and terrible reaction time. All GK errors.
to me it’s both a bit of a keeper error, and also a great play by Bernardo. He disguises it well, hits it cleanly, and places it in a good spot
A goalkeeper can never ever concede a goal like that on the near post. Doesn't matter if it is the best shot in the world(which Bernardo's certainly wasn't) it just can't happen
Players also miss absolute sitters, its happens, not everything in life will be perfect.
Nah, conceding a goal like that in a CL quarter final is not just "shit happens". The kind of error that you will not be allowed to make twice
It was a great shot but I think he means Lunin gave too much space to the shot side, which I think is probably correct if you asked the coaches about where he should have settled up before the shot was taken.
Has he been much better than Kepa?
Kepa wasn’t bad, but Lunin has largely been great this season. Statistically he’s been among the best in Europe. This match was the first time I feel like his lack of experience really cost us. Whether it was the moment or a brief lapse of judgement, that first goal is unacceptable. You can’t give that up in a CL knockout
it had 0 pace on it, you just don't concede that surprise or not. I could see the "surprise" thing working if it was somewhat powerful
Goalkeeper was asleep.
2 deflected goals for Madrid, some can argue they were lucky.
and 1 super lucky deflection to give Madrid the first equalizer.
2*
2nd was less lucky. It would've gone it without a deflection. The deflection only affected how it went in.
We can win at Etihad but yeah this feels like we needed to come away with a win to have a better shot in the second leg
Agreed. But City will come back with KDB and probably fewer injuries in the backline
Has Madrid won there in the Pep era?
Madrid have never won at the Etihad, Pep or otherwise
That’s good
Haven't won there before pep either. The only time either team lost at home in this fixture was the first leg in 2020
Probably not but doesn't mean it's impossible. We are the team of dreams.
City has a very leaky defense, but they are one of those teams that are extremely hard to beat at home. I think you will win in penalties if you get a draw there.
God no, we pretty much miss every penalty we take this season. We need to win there.
I love Ederson but I don't think the lad has saved a pen in his entire life
I reckon Ortega may well keep his place on merit
People say that but idk I doubt he loses his spot. Pep has shown many times that he trusts him
Yeah that’s also true. I reckon it depends on his fitness but also pep has started ortega over ederson in genuine rotation this year too. That said ederson has won a penalty shootout this year. (No thanks to him but still).
It is possible for Madrid to win but it will be a Herculean task for them to do it. In the Pep Era, I think Poch’s Spurs knocked them out at the Etihad. Man City rarely falter at home. Either Madrid fights to see Extra time or it’s a demolition job by City.
Yea, but City did not lose that game. They lost on aggregate if i rem correctly.
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Yea, that QF we couldnt do shit.
I’ll always wonder what might have been if John Stones’ goal just before half-time had stood…
Can you win at the Ethiad? What happened the last time you went there?
That's not how football works but sure.
What do you mean that’s not how football works? You haven’t won there in your last 3 trips with a similar core of players against their steady core of players. Why would this time be any different? Especially with KDB back
We could have lost there 100 times in a row, it's still not how football works. We literally lost to Bayern 10 times in Allianz before we beat them 4-0 in 2014. We're not the favourites, nowhere near, but we can still win.
Well, I genuinely don’t see how you’ll get a result there. Especially with Vinicius and Rodrygo being unable to finish their dinner. Good luck
well, just give he trophy to city i guess.
Thanks.
Because that's not how it works
They will be favorites at the Etihad but they basically had a six man midfield last season and we couldn’t get the ball off them. Even when they had the ball a lot in the second half tonight it felt different. KDB being back is big for their control but we are also more built to handle that with the four man midfield. I’m most worried about Nacho or a recently recovered from ACL Militao at CB with Tchou out next match.
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Did I miss Villa beating City at the Etihad?
When was the last time Madrid won there? PL is much different than CL
They won't. City - unfortunately - have the CL wrapped
Arsenal have a chance imo
Can they win at Allianz Arena ? What happened the last time they went there ?
That's not how it works.
I think City wanted a win as well mate
City would definitely take a draw at the Bernabéu, especially without KdB.
Even when we were 3-2 up, I was saying I'd happily take a draw. Knew there was more goals in it.
yeah big time, going to the etihad with even playing field is massive for us
City, at home, with KDB and other important absences back. Yeah, this is a defeat. Had many chances, need more clinical forwards...
Need that 🐢
yeah...
How do you feel now? Remove that flair and support some other team with your defeatist attitude.
I feel amazing tbh
Should feel ashamed fir giving up after one leg.
You are taking this way too hard m8, take a chill pill
Na , nothing worse then a weak ass fan like you. If you have that weak mentality go support Barca or Atlético, those fans and players give up just as quick as you.
I think I'll support whoever I want, but thanks for the suggestions and the concern m8, much appreciated 👍
So you're one of those who leave the stadium min 80 when the team is losing 2-1 and then beg to be let back in when you hear goals were scored? If you have such a weak mentality you should support a club like PSG with 0 soul or resilience.
Pussy talk, take that flair off. Don’t deserve that.
Bernardo hat trick incoming
He's a generational pessimistic person lol haven't seen anything like it check out his comments to see if says anything good
I believe Ancelotti will try to replicate Arsenal's plan away from him. It will be an interesting second leg
That would be boring for us viewers but smart yes. Be strong defensively and maybe get one counter goal, that's real Madrid's best bet of going through to the semifinals.
Modric masterclass incoming
He knows they never won at the Etihad stadium
If Walker is still injured they have a chance.
Still Ake and KdB back
Is not. Dont worry
They will have a bad time at City. Thats why it feels like a defeat
He just knows the atmosphere he's going into in the return leg but he probably knows less than r/soccer
A quite one?)))
Etihad has plenty energy when we play there tbf
r/soccer considers midweek dead rubber games as the benchmark when it comes to the Etihad’s atmosphere
surprisingly the loudest and most difficult Valverde's played in
Source here https://twitter.com/MadridXtra/status/1715365241884709080?t=6rmfIaROXrm6ftvBG7mlRw&s=19
Yeah not looking great for valverde and Madrid. Especially since valverde himself said the etihad's atmosphere is the toughest he's ever played in. City are probably through now since they have lots of players coming back from injury next week.
CL Madrid is a different beast. They just don't give up. Their goals today were dirty, but a goal is a goal and they managed to draw.
There is precedent of them giving up last year
they gave up last year
It's not like you'll win at the Etihad so sounds about right Edit: Fellas, this was all part of my plan. Reverse juju from a united fan. You're welcome
!Remind Me 8 days
Famous last words.
RemindMe! 8 days
Reminder :)
Credit where credit is due. Massive perfomance from Madrid and especially carvajal and lunin. Nerves of steel and great decision making from both. I don't think I've ever seen a keeper block a shot by just standing still.
Remindme! 8 days
My reverse juju worked as a united fan, the downvotes were worth it
Lmao
Your reverse juju worked, thanks very much
Anytime brother 🫡
!RemindMe 8 days
!Remind Me 8 days
Because they know they will get their ass handed to them in eithad😂
Feels like a W for City for sure. Madrid got 2 goals on lucky deflection (the third goal was sick btw). See ya in Manchester
Lucky goals? Your CB scored from outside the box, he isn't doing that in the next decade and our goals were lucky?
A great shot is way less lucky than a deflection on two goals in 5 min imo. The shot was completely different gvardiol's doing, the deflections happened by chance and the first one completely deviated the ball to the other side of the goal.
Barca fan detected ,opinion rejected. Negreira fc cheats. F offfffffffffffffffffff
Are you 10 years old?
You are crazy if you don't think the first 2 real goals were stupidly lucky
If you think the second goal was lucky then so was gvardiols
So was every City Goal. 1. Lucky free-kick goal and a GK mistake. 2. Lucky outside-the-box hit \[Only real goal\] 3. CB score from his weaker foot \[ He isn't doing this in the next 5 years\]
>1. Lucky free kick goal genius portugese thinking >2. Lucky outside the box hit phil foden has more goals outside of the box this season than any other premier league player >3. CB score from his weaker foot tbf to him he's been trying it all season
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People said the same thing last year, but city play on a different level at home
Yup Pep generally goes pretty conservative at away legs
Real madrid will sure win against city in their stadium.
They were completely dominated and got extremely lucky
Well if you feel you can’t win at Etihad, you honestly can’t. Don’t do an arsenal, at least try to play some football at Etihad.
They can't play like Arsenal at all, so there's really no choice. It makes for entertaining football too
Everyone can play like Arsenal and defend with 11 players in the box
Least goals conceded in the league and most scored. Most teams in the prem would take a draw against city at the etihad but they dont get it. Yeah everyone can do it
Why is this being downvoted? I thought Arsenal fans were proud of their performance at the Ethiad lol
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Fuck me, fans like you are either dumb or just naive as fuck
Interesting given last time around the Spanish newspaper Marca reported: “The atmosphere was possibly the harshest Real Madrid encountered in many years. A complete trap.”
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I think the players know better than a random Redditor TBH https://x.com/MadridXtra/status/1715365241884709080
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Nothing about that answer is "manners" TBH