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.
