The football magicians of Manchester City showed record winners Real Madrid the limits on a breathtaking Champions League evening and can once again dream of the final. The team of star coach Pep Guardiola defeated the royals in a spectacular semi-final first leg 4: 3 (2: 1). A draw is enough for City on Wednesday’s second leg in Paris on their way to the final on May 28 in Paris.
The outstanding Kevin De Bruyne (2nd), Gabriel Jesus (11th), Phil Foden (53rd) and Bernardo Silva (74th) scored for last year’s finalists, who missed numerous other good chances. Riyad Mahrez failed at the post (48th).
Goals from star striker Karim Benzema in his 600th game for Real (33rd and 82nd, hand penalty) and Vinicius Junior (55th) kept Madrid’s hopes of their 14th triumph alive. “Loss is never good but the most important thing is that we never give up,” Benzema said. “We need the fans like never before at the Bernabeu and we’re going to do something magical.”
52,500 fans transformed the Etihad Stadium into a sea of blue and white flags to the sounds of the Beatles classic “Hey Jude”. Contrary to his style, Guardiola dispensed with tactical antics – and initially with Ilkay Gündogan. City started very strong without him: Toni Kroos was too far away from crosser Riyad Mahrez, De Bruyne headed in after just 93 seconds.
After a cross from the Belgian, Real defense chief David Alaba, who had recovered from adductor problems in time – possibly irritated by nearby Kroos – kicked the ball over the ball. Jesus didn’t hesitate for long from five meters, 2-0.
City played themselves into a frenzy, much to the annoyance of the raging Guardiola, who later even saw a yellow card for complaining, but missed the third goal several times. Alaba gave the guests the first sign of life with a head (30th).
Benzema lupft the 911 in
The royals sorely missed their midfield biter Casemiro, who was ailing on the bench. But you could rely on Benzema: the Frenchman converted a cross from eleven meters after Luka Modric had won the ball – his eighth (!) goal in the knockout phase and the 13th overall in the premier class.
Guardiola had to make changes shortly afterwards: John Stones, who was defending on the right for the injured Kyle Walker, limped off (36′). He was replaced by Fernandinho, who usually plays in midfield and looked really bad at 2-3.
At Real, Alaba stayed in the cabin during the break, and Kroos soon sought a conversation with coach Carlo Ancelotti: the gaps in midfield were too big, Real didn’t press at all. Not even Kroos, who didn’t cut a good figure even with the fourth goal. But after Aymeric Laporte’s handball, Benzema hit again with a penalty lob.