Champions League – Kevin de Bruyne releases Manchester City against Atlético de Madrid (1-0) in the quarter-final first leg

Manchester City take a step towards the semi-finals. This Tuesday evening, the Citizens beat Atlético de Madrid (1-0), in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. At the Etihad Stadium, Kevin De Bruyne was the only one to make the difference (70th). The Skyblues therefore take a real option in view of the return match which will take place on Wednesday April 13 at 9:00 p.m., on the side of the Wanda Metropolitano.

Pep Guardiola is not necessarily a follower of player changes in a meeting. In this duel against the Colchoneros, the technician made three at once, in the 68th minute of play. Among the newcomers, Phil Foden did more, on the lawn, in 24 minutes, than most of his teammates throughout this match.

Atlético did not fire once

The Mancunian was especially found at the origin of the opener of the score of Kevin De Bruyne, only two short minutes later. The Belgian international then unblocked the situation with a cross shot from the right foot low to the ground, to find the opposite side netting (70th, 1-0). If the Citizen has finally opened its goal counter this season in C1, it could have done it earlier if Jan Oblak had not then hijacked his free kick (55th) in two stages.

Manchester City dominated this meeting and constantly put their foot on the ball (70%). But, during the first 70 minutes of play, the Colchoneros perfectly knew how to padlock this meeting. Diego Simeone then decided to move his midfielder from three to a second line of five players. Which therefore left the premises without solutions for a very long time. The people of Madrid constantly had to defend and therefore could not exist offensively, like an Antoine Griezmann, replaced from the 60th minute of play. Atlético simply did not manage to attempt a single shot in this game. A first, in all competitions, under Diego Simeone.

Paradoxically, nothing is lost for the champion of Spain. This small goal of delay allows him to still be able to believe in his chances. We will have to do what he has not yet managed to achieve, at the start of the Champions League season (two draws, two defeats). That is to say, to win in one’s lair, in the most prestigious of competitions. Indispensable to hope to then face Chelsea or Real Madrid in the last four.