Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-3 in a Champions League classic
- The game was back and forth and a real treat for neutral fans
- Scorers for city were De Bruyne, Jesus, Foden and B. Silva
- Benzema scored two for the visitors
Manchester City were forced to play without a natural right back with Kyle Walker sidelined through injury and Joao Cancelo out through suspension.
Real Madrid were without Casemiro in the midfield but Alaba remained in the side after doubts about his fitness after he was taken off during a league game six days earlier.
Just 94 seconds into the game City scored a beautiful goal with a perfectly lifted ball over the top of the defence and De Bruyne was there to head it away.
The game looked completely in City’s hands during the opening exchanges, with the home side dominating the ball.
City doubled their lead on the stroke of the 11th minute. De Bruyne crossed a dangerous ball into the box which was missed by Militao and Gabriel Jesus slotted the ball away.
The evening seemed to be shaping up in City’s favour with them dominating possession and pressing high against Real Madrid.
John Stones, who made his return at right back after being out with an injury, had to be taken off in the 24th minute. He was replaced by the club captain, Fernandinho.
Madrid grew into the game as the first half wore on and they got their reward. A pinpoint cross from Mendy found the in-form Benzema who volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner making it 2-1.
The first half ended with City in the lead, but good spells from Madrid posed a few questions for the side to think about in the break.
The second half kicked off with Real Madrid making one change, Nacho on for a recently recovered Alaba in centre half.
After 53 minutes into the game Fernandinho made a great run down the win and whipped a ball into the box where Foden arrived to head the ball away to make it 3-1 to City.
Only two minutes after the goal Madrid hit back in emphatic fashion.
Vinicius Jr played an excellent dummy to get away from Fernandinho and he then accelerated towards the goal and slotted it past Ederson to make it 3-2.
After a quick start to the second half, things began to calm down. City were continuing to make chances buy Madrid’s defence were holding firm.
The game sparked back into life through Bernardo Silva in the 74th minute. After Zinchenko was mowed down, the referee played advantage and Silva picked up the loose ball and smashed it into the top left corner.
The game looked to be done until an unfortunate hand ball by Laporte gifted the away side a penalty. With ice in his veins Benzema stepped up and chipped the ball into the net making it 4-3.
That was the last significant moment of the game with it ending 4-3 to City.
Man Of The Match was given to Bernardo Silva for his outstanding performance topped off with a sensational goal.
- Listen to a podcast started by Manchester Metropolitan University Students who give their thoughts on the game and how this will effect the rest of the season for the English Champions.