World goals. Tension. Spectacle. The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Manchester City (3-3) had everything that makes football so beautiful. And then we still have Kevin De Bruyne too good in the return match.
We almost started whistling along with the eighty thousand Madrilenians who booed supreme Catalan Pep Guardiola before the match. What do you mean, no Kevin De Bruyne? Just in time, the Manchester City coach came up with a logical explanation. “Kevin wasn’t feeling well. He was ready, but when we got to the locker room he started throwing up.” Then a ride on the rollercoaster that was Real Madrid-Manchester City is not a good idea.
(Continue reading below the video)
Even without De Bruyne, there was still some talent on the field. Referee Letexier thanked Tchouaméni with a yellow card after 38 seconds for a strong tackle on Grealish. With the free kick that followed, about 25 meters away, Bernardo Silva got behind the ball. Everyone expected a deflecting cross, but the Portuguese surprised friend and especially foe by shooting the ball into the short corner. A coup de genius. Lunin could only grab for it.
Before the first fifteen minutes had passed, Real completely turned the situation around. With the help of the visitors. First, Stefan Ortega had no story when Camavinga’s shot deviated from Ruben Dias. Two minutes later, the Manchester City goalkeeper was again outwitted by one of his teammates. After a good through ball from Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo pressed the accelerator on the left flank. Rodrygo pushed the 2-1 past Ortega painfully slowly via the leg of the Akanji who was walking along.
City did have the ball, but it was mainly Real Madrid that threatened. Starring Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior. In no time, the two Brazilian sprint rabbits were on the other side. “That works, those two,” Gert Verheyen commented to colleagues at Pickx+Sports. The king of understatement.
Double portion of world goals
City also demanded the ball early in the second half, but the better chances remained for Real. On the other hand, Erling Haaland had only touched the ball seventeen times after an hour of football, the least of all the players on the field.
Just when we thought we’d been left wanting after an exciting first fifteen minutes, there was Phil Foden, nicknamed ‘the Sniper’, the marksman. With blistering power and meticulous precision, he shot the 2-2 against the ropes from the edge of the box. Bam. What a bang.
Foden’s shot was inspiring, because barely five minutes later, even better Josko Gvardiol saw his moment come. Just outside the box, the Croat was passed the ball by Grealish. While Gvardiol initially seemed to lack his control, he then turned the ball nicely into the far corner with his inferior right hand. His first for Manchester City. At what point. Even De Bruyne jumped up to join in the celebration.
The pot of great goals was still not empty. This time it was the home team’s turn again. With a subtle cross, Vinicius found Federico Valverde at the far post. The Uruguayan did not hesitate and beat Ortega in one go with a cross volley. Enjoy.
Jude Bellingham came closest to the winning goal, but 3-3 ultimately became the final score. This means that everything remains to be played next Wednesday in Manchester. Then hopefully with the greatest genius of them all between the lines.
2024-04-09 20:40:47
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