Manchester City is far from done with the poisonous spider called Real Madrid after a blistering duel | Foreign football

No coach has been on the sidelines more often in the semi-finals of the Champions League this century than the Catalan. This is his tenth appearance in twelve years, but only three times did Guardiola’s team reach the final. Twice that was FC Barcelona, ​​which won the cup in 2009 and 2011, once Manchester City, which lost to Chelsea in the final battle.

It was just the way the first half went. The English visitors dominated the field, at one point had possession three-quarters of the time, were very convinced of themselves and created a few chances that goalkeeper Courtois could easily defuse. But the great pressure that City exerted did not yield enough, also because Haaland was under the control of the equally strong Rüdiger, replacement for the suspended Militao.

On the other hand, Orange left back Aké was missing, who stayed home injured. But it was on the other flank where the danger could be expected, from top scorer Vinicius junior. Shortly after he had already given the first warning with a tight cross, he emerged surprisingly and quickly through the middle after 36 minutes. From a distance he outwitted his compatriot Ederson: 1-0. Real’s first shot on goal was a direct hit.

Like startled prey, the English were stunned by the vicious bite. Gone was the predominance, the neat game, the patience. As if all the trauma of last year was looming again. For two games, Manchester City was the better in the duel of the European superpowers, and scored no fewer than five times, but the never-beaten Real eventually scored one more goal.

City’s coach was pleased with goalkeeper Ederson and full of praise for Kyle Walker. “We can defend better in some places and maybe we can attack something else. David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger were so close to Erling Haaland, there was very little space.”

Even the fifteen minutes of rest this Tuesday was not enough for the Citizens in the Bernabéu to recover. The all-powerful side in the Premier League that impressed Europe with the flawless elimination of the other top favourite, Bayern Munich, has long been looking for itself, and for Haaland, and for a flaw in the Madrilenian web controlled by Kroos and Modric .

That foul came on 67 minutes, when Camavinga ripped open his own defense with a sloppy pass; via three pawns the ball reached Kevin de Bruyne, who aimed the ball hard at the right side of the post from outside the penalty area.

The 1-1 and the confidence that Real Madrid had grown despite that goal ensured a dignified and open end to a blistering game without a break, with chances back and forth until the last minute, and ultimately without a winner. Next Wednesday, both rivals will start all over again.