Manchester City salvaged a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
Pep Guardiola’s men dominated the ball in the first half but came unstuck by a Vinicius Junior thunderbolt 10 minutes from the interval. The reigning champions came out with a bit more incentive and impetus after the break, but were hit by a piledriver of their own through Kevin De Bruyne’s long-ranged effort in the 67th minute.
Here is how the players rated at the Santiago Bernabeu:
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois – 7 – Made some absolutely vital saves, not least a strong right palm to deny De Bruyne who got in behind Real’s defence just before his rocket strike.
Dani Carvajal – 6 – His on-field battle with Grealish made for a simmering sub-plot but he ended up committing four fouls, more than any other player on the pitch. Somehow, he wasn’t booked.
Antonio Rudiger – 7 – Put his body on the line and got stuck in from minute one. The German was the villain when Chelsea met City in the Champions League final the season before last, and he once again took on the role of antagonist, giving his side a real aggressive streak at the back.
David Alaba – 7 – Produced an absolutely sublime block on Haaland in the 55th minute when the Norwegian darted through, and that was largely the pattern of play for Alaba, who worked well to muzzle City’s typically ferocious No. 9.
Eduardo Camavinga – 8 – A sensational performance from the French factotum, who was defensively impervious against Silva, and sublime going forward. His link-up with Modric and driving run instigated Vinicius’ opening goal.
Luka Modric – 7 – Although City enjoyed the lion’s share of possession at times, Real’s metronomic maestro was calculating and mesmeric when on the ball. His telepathic understanding with Camavinga set up a blurry-eyed transition for Vinicius’ goal, and he controlled the tempo just after the break.
Toni Kroos – 6 – Grew into the game as Real started to dictate a bit more, but a reckless lunge on Gundogan and a dive later into the game could have cost him a place in the second leg.
Federico Valverde – 6 – Completely anonymous in the first half as City bossed proceedings, but showed some excellent touches and flair after the restart to come alive. His nutmeg on Akanji was particularly tasty.
Rodrygo – 7 – Danced and weaved in that second half, the ethereal Brazilian was poetry in motion at times as he looked to shadow his way into City’s box. A delight to watch when in full motion.
Vinicius Junior – 8 – Similar to his compatriot on the opposite flank, the Samba sensation was the difference-maker on the night with his bullet finish. His consistent shimmying and pirouettes kept you transfixed.
Karim Benzema – 6 – Held the ball up well enough and created a few crucial openings, but this certainly wasn’t vintage Benzema.
Substitutes:
Marco Asensio (for Rodrygo 81′) – N/A – Came on for the final 10 minutes.
Aurelien Tchouameni (for Kroos 83′) – N/A – Came on for the final few minutes.
Nacho (for Modric 86′) – N/A – Came on for the final few minutes.
Man City
Ederson – 7 – Produced a number of top saves, including a strong wrist to claw away a Benzema header 10 minutes from time.
Kyle Walker – 7 – Had the unenviable task of handling Vinicius Junior, but stuck to the task well for the most part, and certainly wasn’t fazed by the Brazilian’s dazzling footwork. The England No. 2 won more tackles than any other player on the pitch.
John Stones – 6 – Controlled the ball well enough and surged forward as a quasi-midfielder when City kept hold of the ball. He often proved too ponderous in advanced positions at times to really give City a cutting edge.
Ruben Dias – 7 – Made a world-class block on Benzema in the first half. The Frenchman looked destined to tuck home with the goal gaping, but Dias got down well to intercept the danger before it reached the Real forward.
Manuel Akanji – 6 – Offered a decent outlet for City on the left and tucked in-field well when Stones advanced forward. Rodrygo and Valverde had some joy on his flank in the second half, but by and large he held his own.
Rodri – 8 – Embroiled in a real muck-and-nettles battle in the heart of midfield, but he put his body on the line and stifled anything Real tried to create. It was the Spaniard’s winning of the ball that set up City’s equaliser. An emblematic move from Guardiola’s trusty ball destroyer.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7 – Kept possession ticking over for City as they hogged the ball, but just lacked that bit of penetration when in the final third to really unlock Real’s backline and support Haaland — though he did grab the assist for De Bruyne.
Bernardo Silva – 5 – Had a pretty miserable time out on the flank as he struggled defensively, and didn’t really get going from an attacking perspective. Quiet game from the Portuguese.
Kevin De Bruyne – 7 – Cut a frustrated figure for the most part, but when you need your talisman to step up and deliver, De Bruyne duly did that.
Kevin De Bruyne is the first player to score against Real Madrid in 413 minutes of Champions League football.
It took something special to beat Thibaut Courtois. ?
(Video via @btsportfootball)#RMAMCI | #UCL pic.twitter.com/d47q3ewVWH
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Jack Grealish – 6.5 – It was an entertaining battle with Carvajal, and Grealish certainly produced his moments of magic, but a bit more consistency may have troubled the foul-happy Spaniard a bit more. Played a crucial role in the equaliser, though.
Erling Haaland – 5 – Fluffed his lines on a few occasions and was generally quiet. Alaba and Rudiger worked well to suppress his prowess.