Real Madrid 3-3 Man City: Champions League quarter-final evenly poised after first leg

Supervisor Pep Guardiola praised Manchester Metropolis’s potential to “adapt rapidly to chaos” of their 3-3 first-leg draw in opposition to Actual Madrid within the Champions League quarter-finals.

However deflected strikes from Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo helped 14-time European champions Actual overturn the deficit on the Bernabeu.

“We had been 2-1 down, taking part in right here with out a lot composure,” Guardiola mentioned.

“This recreation, within the first three seasons collectively, we might have misplaced 4-1 or 5-1 as we weren’t secure emotionally.”

Metropolis, who received this competitors for the primary time final season as a part of a historic Treble, got here into this recreation with Kevin de Bruyne on the bench after the Belgium midfielder fell ailing earlier than kick-off.

Guardiola mentioned: “One of many secrets and techniques on the excessive ranges is to adapt rapidly to chaos. There is no such thing as a time to complain.

“You want time to study and now we’re extra secure and hopefully sooner or later we will do higher and higher.”

Metropolis had lacked high quality within the closing third till Phil Foden, who had been on the periphery of the sport, discovered area simply outdoors the realm to show and hearth into the highest nook to drag Metropolis stage.

Moments later left-back Josko Gvardiol minimize in and located the far nook with an outstanding right-foot shot to attain his first purpose since becoming a member of Metropolis from RB Leipzig in the summertime.

Nevertheless, Madrid equalised with a surprising volley from Federico Valverde to arrange an intriguing second leg on Wednesday, 17 April at Etihad Stadium, the place Metropolis beat Madrid 4-0 in final season’s semi-finals.

“We take the outcome and in a single week in Manchester, with our individuals, it is going to be offered out and they’re going to assist us,” Guardiola added.

Metropolis present resolve

Metropolis received the right begin when Silva cleverly curled within the opener after Aurelien Tchouameni, who will now miss the second leg, fouled Jack Grealish.

Guardiola’s group had been rocked by Madrid’s quickfire response, however confirmed endurance of their build-up with Madrid completely happy to sit down off the Premier League champions, solely urgent when Metropolis received close to the penalty space.

It labored for big elements of the sport and opened up counter-attacking alternatives for Carlo Ancelotti’s facet, however Metropolis’s high quality finally advised.

Foden had been quiet, drifting between extensive proper and attacking midfield, however his excellent season continued when he neatly turned and fired an unstoppable drive into the top-right nook of the purpose.

When Gvardiol put the guests forward, only a second win on the Bernabeu regarded on for Metropolis, earlier than they had been pegged again by Valverde’s great low drive.

Nevertheless, Metropolis now have the possibility at residence to progress to the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive season, the place in recent times they’ve blown sides away within the Champions League.

Madrid exploit Metropolis’s lack of tempo

It is a very totally different Actual Madrid group to the all-conquering sides which dominated the event this century.

Their common form, usually with 11 males behind the ball, confirmed Metropolis a variety of respect, and maybe vulnerability on the again of final season’s chastening defeat in Manchester.

Nevertheless, their strong defensive form allowed them to take advantage of one of many few weaknesses Metropolis have.

On the again Guardiola’s facet lack tempo, particularly with the continued absence of Kyle Walker, and that allowed Rodrygo to get in down the Metropolis proper for the second Madrid purpose.

It was a weak spot that Madrid, who’re high of La Liga and had 9 days off coming into the sport, continued to focus on however Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo all noticed efforts saved or go extensive.

It’s a tactic they’re probably to make use of on the Etihad in eight days’ time, however final season Ancelotti’s facet struggled to realize possession within the second leg in opposition to a fired-up Metropolis, so alternatives could also be few and much between.

It will likely be fascinating to see if Guardiola’s group, who’re one level off high spot within the Premier League and into the FA Cup semi-finals, can do it once more and proceed their march in the direction of one other Treble.