The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has declared that he and his team are going to Spain to beat Real Madrid after the Spanish side ran away from the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday with a 4-3 defeat.
Two early goals from Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus put the Premier League table-toppers in the driver’s seat in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final game against Real Madrid.
But Karim Benzema sparked a positive reaction from Real Madrid by scoring in the 33rd minute to make it 2-1. Immediately the French striker scored the goal, the Madrid players were re-energized to push harder.
From that point, it became an end-to-end game as both sides kept attacking to get more goals. Despite the chances that fell in the hands of Manchester City, the Premier League side waited until the 53rd minute before they got their third goal of the match courtesy of Phil Foden.
Towards the 55th minute mark, Vinicius Junior made a brilliant run which led to his first goal of the match and Real Madrid’s second goal of the match. As Real Madrid continue to fight for the equalizer, Manchester City’s Silva increased the club’s lead again.
Pep Guardiola's reaction to Vinicius' dummy and solo goal… 😅#MCIRMA #UCL pic.twitter.com/NLYns6gmC6
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) April 27, 2022
The game became more dramatic towards the 80th-minute mark after City’s Aymeric Laporte committed a handball offense in his team’s eighteen-yard box. Unfortunately for City, the referee did not hesitate to award a spot-kick for it.
As expected, Real Madrid talisman, Benzema stepped up and scored the spot-kick in the 82nd minute to end the game 4-3 in favor of Manchester City.
What next for coach Pep Guardiola of Manchester City and coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid
As it stands, the UEFA Champions League semi-final round between Manchester City and Real Madrid is still as open as one can imagine but City currently have the advantage.
The second leg of the tie will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. The kick-off time is 20:00.
Any form of a win in favor of Manchester City is enough for the Premier League side to reach the final of the Champions League for the second consecutive season.
On the other hand, Real Madrid need to win 2-0 at home to automatically qualify for the final of the tournament where they will face either Villarreal or Liverpool. If the game ends in a 1-0 victory in favor of Real Madrid in May, the winner of the tie will be decider via penalties.
Ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final round, coach Pep Guardiola described the first leg of the tie as a fantastic game. He also described Real Madrid’s team as an incredible team but noted that his team gave Madrid the chance to score their opener.
Pep Guardiola who noted that his team’s Premier League game against Leeds United on April 30 is the focus of the team currently, added that his team would travel to Madrid to grab the needed victory.
“It was a fantastic game for both sides. We did many good things. Unfortunately, we conceded goals and we could not score more”, Pep Guardiola said.
“We played a fantastic game against an incredible team. The moments where they rise and come back into the game in the first half I think we gave them as our build-up was so nervous. Normally we are so safe and so good. Also, they press really well and are strong. All around the world and for Manchester City, we are so proud. But it is about reaching the final and sometimes football happens. We go to Madrid to try to win the game.
“We went out of the Champions League to Tottenham when Llorente with the hand. Today it is a hand for Laporte. It happens. All we can do is perform as we perform. The quality of Real Madrid is such they can punish you.
“What we have done with the ball and without the ball, creating chances and chances and chances I can’t ask anything else. I say to the players to rest. Leeds now is the most important thing and we go to Madrid to win. Both teams want to attack and have the quality to play. Football is a fantastic spectacle. Congratulations to Carlo and his team as they are so good. At the same time, we saw ourselves that we can be there.”
"Hicimos buen partido. Estoy orgulloso del equipo. Estuvimos algo nerviosos en la salida de balón y ellos presionaron bien. Vamos a ir a Madrid a ganar el partido" Pep Guardiola después del 4-3 Vs Real Madridpic.twitter.com/XZ4HunXo2T
— Todo Guardiola (@TodoGuardiola) April 27, 2022
