The Champions League semi-finals started on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw between reigning champion Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Manchester City’s good, sometimes even dominating start went down the drain at the Santiago Bernabeu, when Real Madrid’s first and only shot of the opening period brought a result.
Luka Modric was about to launch a counterattack in which Eduardo Camavingan a long run set the stage for the opening goal, which he answered with a precise power shot from about 22 meters Vinicius Junior in the 36th minute of the match.
In the second half Kevin de Bruyne showed that even City’s leading figure can find a long-range shot that meets the criteria.
Rodri won the ball and found the penalty area out of bounds Ilkay Gundogan, from which de Bruyne was able to score a 1-1 equalizer from the counter-ball in the 67th minute. Real’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was powerless before kudi.
This is the third season in a row that de Bruyne has managed to score in the Champions League semi-finals. In total, the Belgian has now scored 14 goals in the UCL, 11 of them in the playoffs.
City goalkeeper From Ederson I demanded a top save in the 78th minute, with which he stopped Real Madrid Karim Benzema bulldozing company. The shots in the match were scored for Real 13–10 and the corner kicks 8–7.
Madrid’s defense made a strong mark Erling Haaland’s in guarding. City’s goal deterrent did not enjoy the refreshments or the scenes.
– I don’t think that either team feels that they are strong yet, the result left everything open. After the draw and the opening half, the further possibilities are 50-50, commented Real’s Modric to AFP.
Manchester City’s home leg in the UCL semi-finals will be played on May 17. Pep Guardiola’s the team he piloted has won four English Premier League titles in the last five seasons, but never Europe’s toughest club team tournament.
AC Milan and Inter will face each other in the opening part of the semi-finals on Wednesday.