With all eyes falling on the Etihad on Tuesday night, Manchester City suffered another infamous Champions League collapse as they fell to a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid.
Soaking up all the early pressure and riding their luck for large spells, Pep Guardiola’s men took an early lead as Erling Haaland produced a smart finish in the 19th-minute and sent the Etihad crowd into overdrive.
However, while French superstar Kylian Mbappe might have missed a string of golden opportunities prior to the break, the ex-PSG talisman saw his sliced effort somehow scramble its way over the line.
Continuing to pass up on some golden chances, Los Blancos were left hugely frustrated in the final 10 minutes as Haaland slotted home from the penalty spot following Dani Ceballos’ fouls on Phil Foden.
While the Sky Blues might have been moments away from claiming a crucial first-leg advantage, City endured another remarkable European collapse.
Watching one-time Man City starlet Brahim Diaz drag the defending champions level just six minuets after Haaland’s converted spot kick, there was time for Madrid to complete another iconic turnaround.
Pouncing on Rico Lewis’ costly mistake in stoppage time, England international Jude Bellingham tapped home into an empty net with essentially the last kick of the game and moved the Spanish giants firmly into the driving seat.
In what was a heavyweight Champions League showdown on Tuesday night, we have taken a look at the main talking points from the Etihad.
Los Blancos pull off another European miracle
Making real history last season as they got their hands on a record-breaking 15th European crown, Real Madrid produced what was another iconic Champions League miracle on Tuesday night.
Despite suffering Super Cup heartbreak out in the Middle East last month, Carlo Ancelotti’s superstar squad have come roaring back in some style and they will be relishing a return to the Spanish capital next week.
While Los Blancos might have been forced to produce another sensational Champions League comeback here, the defending European champions produced a string of clearcut opportunities on either side of the half-time break.
Signing off their Champions League group stage campaign on January 29th with a routine 3-0 victory away at French outfit Brest, Ancelotti’s camp are once again regarded as a leading European contender over the next few months.
Sending Man City packing at the quarter-final stage last season, it certainly appears that Los Blancos has Guardiola’s number.
City suffer another infamous Champions League collapse
Always knowing that they would face a heavyweight challenge following last week’s play-off draw, Manchester City were more than aware that they must claim a first-leg advantage on Tuesday night.
However, despite taking the lead twice on home soil and moving within minuets of making a European statement, Guardiola’s side suffered yet another infamous Champions League collapse.
Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last month as they slumped to an action-packed 4-2 defeat at the hands of PSG, City now find their European dreams hanging in the balance.
Set for another public backlash and with the home support making their frustrations abundantly clear at the final whistle, the former Barcelona boss has an almighty job on his hands.
Falling to their knees following Bellingham’s dramatic late winner, Manchester City could show some real signs of a hangover on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Newcastle to the Etihad.
Defensive issues continue to haunt Guardiola’s side
While Man City might have eventually avoided what would have been a sensational FA Cup exit away at League One outfit Leyton Orient last weekend, the Premier League giants have continued to show a string of glaring issues.
Completely blown away on February 2nd as they fell to a 5-1 drumming against Arsenal, Tuesday’s hosts have certainly gained a reputation for their glaring defensive struggles.
In fact, Guardiola’s camp have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous nine meetings against top-flight opposition across all competitions.
Suffering another horror European collapse on Tuesday night, the Sky Blues have also endured a public crisis on the Champions League stage.
Including a woeful 4-1 drumming away at Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon prior to November’s international break, Man City have conceded 17 goals in their last six Champions League outings.
Match Report
Manchester City: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Stones, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish, Savinho, Haaland
Subs: Lewis, Foden, Gundogan, Marmoush
Real Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Tchouameni, Mendy, Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Subs: Modric, Garcia, Diaz
Goals: Manchester City: Haaland (19’, 80’ P) – Real Madrid: Mbappe (60’), Diaz (86’), Bellingham (90+2’)
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Clement Turpin
from Latest Sport Updates – Techyrack Hub https://ift.tt/kbEsKVe
via IFTTT