W.What a football spectacle, what a celebration, or as the Spanish sports newspaper “Marca” wrote immediately after the final whistle: “Real Madrid never dies.” At least not in the big 3-3 against city of manchester in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League, that probably with this duel they robbed him of the final of his dreams. City led twice on Tuesday night, Real only once and in the end they tied.
“I imagine the spectators will have a good time if there is a game with six goals,” the City manager joked. Pep Guardiola in conection. “We know that the match against Madrid never ends in this stadium.”
It was already in the second minute. Manchester Bernardo Silva took the lead. But it only lasted ten minutes. After a double in the 12th and 14th minutes with an own goal from Rúben Dias and a goal from Rodrygo, the whites were already ahead. Then, Phil Foden (66th) turned the game in City's favor with a corner kick and former RB Leipzig professional Joskos Gvardiol (71st). Fede Valverde (79th) finally scored the final score.
“I'm happy,” said the Real coach. carlo anceloti in conection. “We have fought and, if we do the same in the second leg, we can progress.” But not only the experienced coach has been warned. Last season both teams met in the semifinals. Almost a year ago, Real Madrid also fought to draw (1-1) in the first leg, but then lost 4-0 in Manchester.
Kroos: “Then we have a chance in the second leg”
For this reason, Real's German international also made it clear after the final whistle: “We have to do much better than last year,” he warned. Toni Kroos on DAZN. “We got there with a draw and then we had practically no chance.” After the wild and impressive 3:3 in the first duel of the quarterfinals, next Wednesday we will also have to show our face at home away from home.
“We know that City are stronger at home,” said Kroos: “We have to show up there with the same personality as in our own stadium, then we will have a chance.”
The national player was at least a little sad about the better result. “They score two goals that not even City manages to score every day,” he said, referring to the goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol, each of which flew beautifully into the corner of the goal: “Of course it hurts. “I feel like I’m not that happy.”