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Real Madrid vs. Manchester City score, takeaways: A golazo clinic and Dani Carvajal's luck after poor tackles

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In a game with goals fit for the occasion, Real Madrid and Manchester City drew level 1-1 behind goals from Vinicus Jr and Kevin De Bruyne. While City came out of the gates strong, it was a well laid plan by Carlo Ancelotti whose team hunkered down and defended before getting a goal in the 36th minute thanks to a lightning fast counterattack and an absolute smack from Vini. But adjustments are always to be expected from Pep Guardiola and City ceded possession in the second half but were able to get their goal as well thanks to De Bruyne's rocket. This sets up a tantalizing second leg on May 17 at the Etihad.

Defense won in a match that only featured 10 shots on target but it was an example of what can happen when excellent teams and managers are involved in a chess match for 90 minutes. Real Madrid were able to weather the storm with Eder Militao suspended and now they'll have their top defender back to be more adventurous in the second leg while proceeding with caution as City will also be pragmatic.

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It's a best case scenario for two teams who at the end of the day didn't want to expose too much during the match but now can unleash everything in a make-or-break game with a trip to the Champions League final on the line.

Let's get to a few takeaways on the game:

Dani Carvajal toed the line

Carvajal is lucky to have ended the match on the pitch. Within the first 15 minutes, he already had multiple yellow card-worthy challenges and that was before clattering Jack Grealish into the sideboards on an unnecessary challenge. While he was trying to wind up Grealish to get a reaction, there's a difference between being persistent and being reckless. It will be a battle to watch in the second leg considering that both players will likely start and the reception in England may not be the same as what Carvajal experienced in Spain.

Having a similar showing could see him carded early with Real Madrid being put at a disadvantage that they can't afford to have even with Militao back in the fold.

Excellence in goals

Both goals were truly works of art as players showed the best of their craft. When Real Madrid opened the scoring, City were dominating the match but all it took was one run to make magic happen. Eduardo Camavinga brought his dribbling skill after a deft pass from Luka Mocric to beat his man and set up Vini Jr. Once the ball was at VIni's feet, that's when amazing things happen and it turned the game around.

Real Madrid were close on multiple occasions prior but the passes were just off as one of the hallmarks of the team is that they only need one good chance to make their opponents pay. It's a Carlo Ancelotti special that even when it seems like Real Madrid are struggling with the pace of a match, you blink and end up conceding chances to them.

Manchester City had their chances as well but again, it was excellent midfield interplay that gave De Bruyne enough space to score his goal. Ilkay Gundogan held off the Real Madrid defense to play in De Bruyne who scored in the Champions League semifinals for the third year in a row. Real Madrid did the best they could to contain City's attack but in moments like this one, sometimes there's nothing that you can do.

Holding Erling Haaland to only three shots is an impressive defensive effort but moments like this show why City aren't a team that can be shut out by normal means. Heading into the away leg, Los Blancos will need to be more adventurous while also being aware of what City can do.

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Two good teams canceling each other out 

The term a tale of two halves may be one that's overplayed but it also couldn't be truer to describe the match. From Manchester City coming out of the gate quickly to Eduardo Camavinga's excellent run to play in Vini Jr. These are games where the teams are so good that only an inch of space is needed to create a chance. That's just what happened on De Bruyne's goal but now Real Madrid will be back to full strength ahead of the away leg.

May 9, 2023, 9:44 PM
May. 09, 2023, 5:44 pm EDT
 
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What a header

Benzema forced Ederson into an amazing save and City are holding on by the skin of their teeth.

May 9, 2023, 8:39 PM
May. 09, 2023, 4:39 pm EDT
 
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Like what a hit

May 9, 2023, 8:34 PM
May. 09, 2023, 4:34 pm EDT
 
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Give De Bruyne space and he'll hit you

Gundogan was able to find De Bruyne from outside the box and next thing you know the goal is in the back of the net and City are level.

May 9, 2023, 8:29 PM
May. 09, 2023, 4:29 pm EDT
 
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Things have evened out in the eecond half

Real Madrid have been able to create chances but City can't open up too much for an equalizer without allowing a lurking Benzema to score. This is a game that has developed quite well.

May 9, 2023, 8:24 PM
May. 09, 2023, 4:24 pm EDT
 
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The game is opening up

De Bruyne stung Thibaut Courtois' palms but the flag was raised. City are opening lanes but they've yet to finish things yet.

May 9, 2023, 8:16 PM
May. 09, 2023, 4:16 pm EDT
 
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Back underway

Manchester City could be content with things as they are but they'll need to score a goal because I'm not sure that they can stop Real Madrid from nabbing one.

May 9, 2023, 8:09 PM
May. 09, 2023, 4:09 pm EDT
 
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Carvajal is on a tightrope 

Making reckless challenges and trying to poke at Manchester City he should be on a yellow card already but so far he has evaded a booking as the match reaches the half.

May 9, 2023, 7:50 PM
May. 09, 2023, 3:50 pm EDT
 
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Just put this on repeat

May 9, 2023, 7:43 PM
May. 09, 2023, 3:43 pm EDT
 
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VINI OH MY!

After an excellent run from Camavinga to get into space Vini Jr unleashed a rocket from outside the box and it's 1-0 to Los Blancos.

May 9, 2023, 7:40 PM
May. 09, 2023, 3:40 pm EDT
 
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Ruben Dias saves the day

It was another chance for Benzema as Real Madrid have been only one step off from opening the scoring twice in the match. City may have been dominating possession but they will need to get a goal sooner than later or run the risk of going behind. 

May 9, 2023, 7:30 PM
May. 09, 2023, 3:30 pm EDT
 
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Playing with fire

The fouls are piling up as Real Madrid ware under pressure from every direction. City have had great attacking chances and Real are growing into the game but they need to pick up the pace due to not being able to defend.

May 9, 2023, 7:20 PM
May. 09, 2023, 3:20 pm EDT
 
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It's all City 

Dominating possession and already getting a shot on target, Real Madrid will need to get going sooner than later or they're going to allow a goal within the first 20 minutes of play.

May 9, 2023, 7:14 PM
May. 09, 2023, 3:14 pm EDT
 
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Vini Jr is off to the races

It was almost a great attack for Real Madrid but City recovered to win a corner. City are settling into possession as the match grows on.

May 9, 2023, 7:08 PM
May. 09, 2023, 3:08 pm EDT
 
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The clashes begin early

Grealish is a little shaken up after an early challenge but this is a game where physical clashes will be important for knocking skilled dribbles off the ball.

May 9, 2023, 7:04 PM
May. 09, 2023, 3:04 pm EDT
 
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Almost time for kickoff

It's going to be quite a tie as two of the best teams in the world square off. Haaland versus Benzema, it doesn't get much better than this.

May 9, 2023, 6:54 PM
May. 09, 2023, 2:54 pm EDT
 
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Looking at the City side of things

Biggest reason they'll win: Simply put, they are the best team in Europe. City can beat you any way they need to, not just with the intricate build up play of years gone by but by hitting the big man Haaland who provides knockdowns for runners beyond him. They can play through, round or over your defense and look to be a pretty miserly backline at the other end of the pitch. If Guardiola's men are on song, there simply might be nothing Madrid can do to beat them.

Biggest reason they'll lose: It's the Champions League. Mad stuff happens. And it tends to happen to Manchester City quite frequently. Oh and Madrid tend to be the ones who do it to other teams (see those two added time goals by Rodrygo in last year's semifinal). Over a 38 game season few can stop City. Over two games? You never know.

May 9, 2023, 6:02 PM
May. 09, 2023, 2:02 pm EDT
 
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But how could things go for Real Madrid

Biggest reason they'll win: An unstoppable attack. Looking at Real Madrid, it doesn't get much better than Vinicus Jr., Karim Benzema, and Rodrygo. The trio can score on anyone and no matter what City does, they can even come back. If the game turns into a track meet, that favors Real Madrid and could be a way that they end up advancing to the Champions League final.

Biggest reason they'll lose: The absence of Eder Militao. Real Madrid are in shambles defensively without Ferland Mendy and Militao and they'll need to find a way to stop Erling Haaland. On a good day that's easier said than done but without your top defenders, it can be an impossible task. If Real Madrid goes behind early and needs to open up to chance the game, things could get lopsided putting them in a hole that can't be overcome in the home leg.

May 9, 2023, 6:01 PM
May. 09, 2023, 2:01 pm EDT
 
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Kyle Walker comes in

Without Nathan Ake, City needs speed to keep up with Rodrygo and Vini Jr

Starters: Ederson, Walker, Ruben Dias, Stones, Gundogan, Haaland, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Akanji

May 9, 2023, 5:56 PM
May. 09, 2023, 1:56 pm EDT
 
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Real Madrid's lineup is in

Modric is back in the lineup but all eyes are on the defense. Dani Carvajal will have a tough matchup keeping things in front of him against Jack Grealish.

Starters: Courtois, Carvajal, Alaba, Kroos, Benzema, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Vinicus Jr, Rodrygo, Rudiger

May 9, 2023, 5:53 PM
May. 09, 2023, 1:53 pm EDT
 
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Who to watch for Real Madrid

Rodrygo. All of the pressure will be on Karim Benzema and for good reason as he has been Mr. Champions League but with City's strength in central defense that will require other members of the squad to step up putting all eyes on Rodrygo. He couldn't have picked a better time to bag a brace than the Copa Del Rey final on Saturday because he'll be needed to attack the wings and make things happen in the match. 

May 9, 2023, 4:55 PM
May. 09, 2023, 12:55 pm EDT
 
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We've got a tie ahead

May 9, 2023, 4:33 PM
May. 09, 2023, 12:33 pm EDT
 
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Matchup to watch

Modric vs. Rodri: Now that Ancelotti has confirmed that the Croatia talisman will feature significantly, we can look at how wise that is of the Italian coming into this one. The 37-year-old has shown himself capable of uncorking vintage form on the big occasions and they do not come much more important than this. Modric's creativity and vision in the middle will be vital, but there is a danger that a lack of full fitness could put Real at a disadvantage in the battle for midfield supremacy.

May 9, 2023, 4:20 PM
May. 09, 2023, 12:20 pm EDT
 
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Manchester City team news

Team news: Nathan Ake has a hamstring problem and has missed training, so he's doubtful. Meanwhile Rodri, John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish should all return after Pep Guardiola rotated his players over the weekend in the win over Leeds.

Possible City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan (c), Grealish; Haaland.

May 9, 2023, 4:10 PM
May. 09, 2023, 12:10 pm EDT
 
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Real Madrid team news

Team news: Eder Militao is suspended and will miss the home leg after picking up a booking just before all preexisting yellow cards were reset for the semis. Ferland Mendy remains doubtful with his calf issue but Ancelotti has confirmed that Luka Modric will start. Aurelien Tchouameni may drop out as a result.

Possible Real XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema (c), Vinicius Jr.

May 9, 2023, 4:00 PM
May. 09, 2023, 12:00 pm EDT
 
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How to watch and odds

  • Date: Tuesday, May 9 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: Santiago Bernabeu -- Madrid
  • TV and live stream: Paramount+ and CBS
  • Odds: Real +210; Draw: +270; City +115 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
May 9, 2023, 3:47 PM
May. 09, 2023, 11:47 am EDT
 
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Hello and welcome

While there are two legs in the match, without Eder Militao, this is a critical leg for Real Madrid. Making defensive changes against one of the best attacks in the league could lead to them being behind before things can really get going especially with Erling Haaland lurking. Follow along for what could be an excellent chess match.

May 9, 2023, 3:46 PM
May. 09, 2023, 11:46 am EDT