Two huge errors from Raphaël Varane helped Man City advance to the last 8 of the Champions League. An away goal from Karim Benzema wasn’t enough to turn around the eventually large goal deficit.
Pep Guardiola made some big calls for his starting XI for the game at the Etihad, playing Phil Foden as a false 9 and Gabriel Jesus on the left wing. This turned out to be a stroke of genius, as Man City took the lead very early on. In just the 9th minute, Varane was caught napping by Jesus, and the Brazilian international was able to pass across to give Raheem Sterling a tap-in, extending the home team’s advantage. It was Sterling’s 100th goal for the Citizens, showing what a goal threat Guardiola has turned the Englishman into.
Real Madrid’s backline kept on making errors throughout the entire match. Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal and Thibaut Courtois were all guilt of giving the ball away in dangerous areas, and were very lucky only to concede one in the first 45′.
In fact, it was Los Blancos who got a goal back. Just before the half-hour mark, Rodrygo beat Cancelo for pace, and Benzema rose highest to nod the cross past Ederson. This gave the visitors a lifeline, as they only needed one more goal to take it to extra-time.
In the second half, Man City’s midfield did an excellent job in eliminating the threat of the Spanish side’s midfield. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were unable to control the game as Zidane would have wanted, and the likes of Eden Hazard and Benzema were limited to speculative shots due to the high press of the Blues’ backline.
And then, to all but send the English side through, Varane misjudged a ball over the top, and his header back was pounced on by Jesus. His interception gave him the chance to beat the on-rushing Courtois with an excellent finish to put the tie beyond Real’s reach.
The final 10 minutes saw David Silva come on off the bench for his final game at the Etihad. What a career he has had at the club, and he will hope that he can cap his 10 years in Manchester off with a Champions League medal around his neck.
It was the first Champions League tie that Zidane has failed to win as a manager, and that is down to the excellent performance from Guardiola’s men. Raphaël Varane has openly taken all of the blame, but there were many others in that team who did not do enough. Courtois lacked technical ability and footwork, Hazard was disappointing yet again, and Militão showed how much Sergio Ramos’s influence means to the squad. Having him suspended was a true blow, one which aided the Citizens heavily.
Manchester City now have a trip to Portugal to face-off against Lyon, who shocked Juventus to go through on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate draw. And, after that performance against a side who were seemingly unstoppable in La Liga, Guardiola’s men must surely be fancied as one of the favourites for the trophy.
David Silva will certainly hope so.
Player Ratings
Manchester City
Ederson – 7.5
Kyle Walker – 8.5 (MOTM)
Fernandinho – 7.5
Aymeric Laporte – 7
João Cancelo – 7
Rodri – 7.5
Ilkay Gündoğan – 6.5
Kevin De Bruyne – 7.5
Phil Foden – 7.5
Raheem Sterling – 8
Gabriel Jesus – 8.5
Subs:
Bernardo Silva – 6.5
David Silva – N/A
Nicolas Otamendi – N/A
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois – 4
Dani Carvajal – 5.5
Raphaël Varane – 2.5
Éder Militão – 5
Ferland Mendy – 5.5
Luka Modric – 5.5
Casemiro – 6.5
Toni Kroos – 6
Rodrygo – 7
Karim Benzema – 7
Eden Hazard – 5
Subs:
Marco Asensio – 6
Lucas Vazquez – N/A
Federico Valverde – N/A
Luka Jovic – N/A
By Jed Vine
