Real Madrid 1, Manchester City 2
Manchester City came from a goal down at the Bernabeu to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League after losing Aymeric Laporte to injury.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was the first time City had beaten Real Madrid on their home turf after goals by Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne allowed them to overhaul Isco’s opener on the hour mark.
Real Captain Sergio Ramos also saw red in the dying minutes and will miss the second leg.
City had left plenty of talent out of the side, with Leroy Sane left out of the travelling squad and Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, and Fernandinho left on the bench at the Bernabeu.
Although shy of risking those players after recent injuries and exertions, City boss Pep Guardiola crucially risked selecting Laporte in this crucial match.
Real also had their own talented bench, with Toni Kroos joining Gareth Bale and Marcelo on the sideline.
Things had looked bleak after City lost Laporte to injury after just 33 minutes and Benjamin Mendy will be suspended for the return leg of this match after fouling Luka Modric in the first half.
Things went from bad to worse for City after an hour when, just as City were getting on top, their fragile defence let them down again to allow Isco to score after a mix-up between Rodri and Nicolas Otamendi was compounded by a lack of awareness by Kyle Walker which allowed Vinicius Junior to cross for a close range finish by Isco.
City’s plan to play conservatively and restrict Real Madrid was falling apart but the drama was not over.
Raheem Sterling came off the bench with 17 minutes to go and terrified the home defence, releasing Gabriel Jesus to play more centrally, and the Brazilian was soon on the scoresheet after De Bruyne turned away from a pack of defenders in the Real Madrid box to pick out Jesus for a headed equaliser after 78 minutes.
Sterling was brought down by Dani Carvajal in the penalty area and De Bruyne stepped up to end City’s dreadful run of spot kick misses in the 83rd minute to hit his 50th goal for City.
The City captain sent Tibaut Courtois the wrong way as he rifled home the ball into the bottom left corner.
Sergio Ramos earned his 26th red card of his career after being forced to bring down Gabriel Jesus on the edge of the box, after a poor bad pass by Casemiro released the Brazilian for a free run on goal, to end any hopes of a late comeback.
GOALS – Real Madrid 1, Manchester City 2
Real Madrid 1, Man City 0: 60. Isco made no mistake from 7 yards out after Vinicius Junior crossed to him after Kyle Walker failed to clear the danger following a mix-up between Rodri and Nicolas Otamendi leaving the City defence marooned.
Real Madrid 1, Man City 1: 78. Gabriel Jesus headed the ball past Tibaut Courtois after meeting a cross by Kevin De Bruyne from inside the box after the Belgian turned away from three markers.
Real Madrid 1, Man City 2: 83. Kevin De Bruyne sent Tibaut Courtois the wrong way from the penalty spot, shooting to the bottom left corner, after Carvajal brought down Raheem Sterling.
MATCH STATS – Real Madrid 1, Manchester City 2
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy, Valverde, Casemiro, Modric (Vazquez 84), Vinicius Junior (Bale 75), Benzema, Isco ( Jovic)
Real Madrid Subs not used: Areola, Militao, Kroos, Marcelo
Booked: Valverde 48, Modric 54
Sent Off: Ramos 86
Goal: Isco 60
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte (Fernandinho 33), Mendy, Gundogan, Rodrigo, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva (Sterling 73), Jesus
Man City Subs not used: Bravo, Aguero, David Silva, Cancelo, Foden
Booked: Mendy 30
Referee: Daniele Orsato