15
21:17
Thanks to Casemiro in particular, Real Madrid are closing the center much better today than in the first leg, where City were already leading by two goals at that point. after winning the ball, the hosts then switch quickly again and again.
12
21:13
Karim Benzema is wanted and always found. This time it’s Federico Valverde, who brings the leather flat from the right at the level of the sixteen to the Frenchman, who, despite the pressure, immediately pulls the trigger, but aims far too high.
10
21:12
Of course, the early warning is of little help for central defender Laporte. The cards initially have no further effects, yellow card suspensions in the final are no longer possible.
9
21:09
Yellow card for Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
9
21:09
Yellow card for Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
After a rude foul by Casemiro on de Bruyne, there is a first pack formation in which Modrić shoves Laporte and hits him lightly in the face. However, the Frenchman makes a bit of a big deal out of it, which is why both see yellow cards.
8th
21:08
There’s a lot of speed in the game again. Of course, Madrid have to put pressure on, but City is also looking for a way forward and is establishing itself in the penalty area for the first time. João Cancelo then gives the ball away fairly easily.
5
21:06
Real has the first good chance! After a cross from the right-hand field, Benzema is pretty free at the penalty spot, but his header clearly goes wide. The Frenchman has made more of it than that.
4
21:04
At the other end, João Cancelo, back on his usual left flank today, won the game’s first corner kick. Foden’s cross hits the far post at Bernardo Silva, but his header is defused.
2
21:03
The hosts get a free kick in an interesting position near the left corner flag. Kroos puts the ball on the first post and looks for Valverde but lands on a Citizen’s head.
1
21:01
The ball rolls! As usual, Real play all in white, while Manchester wears dark blue.
20:57
The game will be officiated by an Italian team led by FIFA referee Daniele Orsato. Massimiliano Irrati is responsible for the video evidence. Together with the 22 players, the referees have just stepped onto the lawn in the Bernabéu and are now listening to the sounds of the Champions League anthem. For one of the two clubs, this will be heard today for the last time this season.
20:45
Of the seven previous encounters between these two heavyweights of European football in the Champions League, three have gone to Manchester City and two to Real Madrid. It is striking that the Citizens have all won the last three matches in the round of 16 of the 2019/20 season and in the first leg of the current comparison and the last Real victory dates from 2016. At that time, the royals won 1-0 in the second leg of the semi-finals and then won the title, which they then defended twice. It would be Real’s first final since 2018 and City’s second in a row after losing to Chelsea last year.
20:26
The guests from Manchester have also been consistently in top form recently. Of the last 15 competitive games, City have only lost the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. At the weekend, the Skyblues warmed up with a 4-0 win at Leeds United. Now they are close to their second Champions League final in a row. The small lead from the first leg means little for Pep Guardiola. “We know that you have to play two good games to eliminate Madrid. It’s not enough to play just one or win the first one,” said the Catalan, who expects another football spectacle: “It will be an eventful 90 minutes .”
20:16
Real Madrid already bagged their first title of the season at the weekend. Los Blancos secured their 35th domestic title with a convincing 4-0 win over Espanyol Barcelona, their fifth straight league win. There was a lot of celebration at the weekend, but now the focus is fully on the premier class. “We know it’s the most important game of the season,” said playmaker Luka Modrić before the game and made it clear: “We also have to play the best game of our season.” Above all, Carlo Ancelotti demands more stability from his team. “We have to play a full game and our defensive block has to be better than in the first leg,” said the Italian coach, who can reach his fifth Champions League final today.
20:07
Let’s take a look at the staff right away: The home side will probably have to do without defender David Alaba today, who is suffering from an adductor injury. For the Austrian, who is still on the substitutes’ bench, Nacho takes over in the defensive chain. On the other hand, clearer Casemiro is back, who was missing in the first leg and slipped into the team for Rodrygo. On the other hand, Pep Guardiola also changes twice compared to the first duel because his traditional full-back duo is ready for action again. Kyle Walker and João Cancelo take over for John Stones (not in the squad) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (bench).
19:57
The first leg eight days ago was a true football festival. City were in the lead three times with two goals, and Real always came back. Shortly before the end, Karim Benzema countered a dream goal from Bernardo Silva with a cool Panenka penalty and thus kept all chances open for the royals. In the meantime, Madrid has become Spanish champion again and Manchester has defended the top spot in the Premier League. Now it comes to the big showdown in the time-honoured Santiago Bernabéu. Who will fight for the famous handle pot with Jürgen Klopp’s Reds on May 28th?
19:56
Hello and welcome to the semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City! After the spectacular 4: 3 for the Citizens in the first leg, it will be determined today from 9 p.m. in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu who meets Liverpool in the final.