Real Madrid and Manchester City faced off in a thrilling clash in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs. The match, played at the Etihad Stadium, lived up to expectations with intense sequences and an impressive technical level. Manchester City took the lead in the first half thanks to Erling Haaland, who capitalized on a defensive mistake to open the scoring. However, in the second half, Real Madrid gradually regained momentum, with Kylian Mbappé scoring the equalizer. But the Norwegian striker thought he had the last word with a brace from the penalty spot in the 80th minute. In the final moments, Carlo Ancelotti brought on Brahim Diaz, and the Moroccan helped Real equalize at 2-2 before Jude Bellingham netted the winning goal to make it 2-3 before the second leg. Here are the ratings and analyses of Real Madrid’s players’ performances:
Thibaut Courtois: 7 Once again, Thibaut Courtois proved why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Although he conceded a goal from an unstoppable Erling Haaland shot, the Belgian goalkeeper made several decisive saves, particularly in the first half, denying multiple attempts from City’s attackers. His footwork and composure provided stability to his defense. He kept his team alive during difficult moments.
Federico Valverde: 7.5 Deployed in an unusual position in the absence of Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde demonstrated his versatility and importance to Carlo Ancelotti. Positioned on the right side of the defense, he successfully combined defensive rigor with offensive projection. His defensive interventions were crucial in containing Jack Grealish’s advances. Offensively, he provided support, offering passing options and delivering dangerous crosses. A match full of determination from the Uruguayan.
Raúl Asencio: 8 Despite his young age and lack of experience in such encounters, Raúl Asencio was impressive. Solid in duels, quick in his interventions, and focused throughout the match, he often got the better of City’s attackers. Facing an ever-dangerous Erling Haaland, he remained composed and made intelligent interceptions. He established himself as a true leader in defense.
Aurélien Tchouameni: 6 The French midfielder, repositioned as a center-back, delivered a decent performance but could have done better on Haaland’s goal, where his positioning was questionable. Besides that, he demonstrated good passing accuracy and an interesting reading of the game. However, he was occasionally outpaced by the speed of City’s attacking play. A mixed performance.
Ferland Mendy: 5.5 Back in the starting eleven, Ferland Mendy had a challenging evening. He was repeatedly outpaced by Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, leaving too much space in his lane. He nearly worsened the situation with a dangerous loss of possession in the first half. Offensively, he attempted some forward runs but without much success. A performance below his usual standards.
Eduardo Camavinga: 8 Eduardo Camavinga’s return from injury was a blessing for Real Madrid. Positioned at the heart of the game, he dictated the tempo and recovered an impressive number of balls. His vision and ability to play under pressure were invaluable to his team. He was omnipresent in duels and a key element in offensive transitions. A top-tier performance from the young Frenchman.
Dani Ceballos: 6 Dani Ceballos did not particularly stand out but performed his role with diligence. Less influential than his midfield teammates, he nonetheless tried to bring fluidity and movement to Madrid’s game. He lacked impact in duels and sometimes struggled to position himself against City’s intense pressing. A decent but unspectacular match.
Jude Bellingham: 7 The English international, usually so influential, appeared frustrated and uninspired on the Manchester City pitch. His body language revealed his annoyance at the lack of passes received. He struggled to find space and be decisive, though his fighting spirit was evident. A mixed performance overall, but his talent made the difference at the end of the match when he scored the winning goal to secure a 2-3 victory.
Rodrygo: 6 Rodrygo had promised a great match in the press conference but failed to deliver on his ambitions. The Brazilian attempted dribbles and breakthroughs but lacked efficiency. He often ran into City’s solid defensive line and failed to be decisive. His determination was evident, but he will need to improve in the second leg.
Vinicius Jr: 7 The most dangerous attacking player for Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr frequently put City’s defense under pressure with his speed and dribbling ability. However, he sometimes lacked composure in the final third and did not always make the best decisions. His duel with Kyle Walker was intense, but he struggled to consistently gain the upper hand. In stoppage time, he played a crucial role in setting up Jude Bellingham’s winning goal. A frustrating yet promising match.
Kylian Mbappé: 7 Initially struggling against City’s compact defense, Kylian Mbappé took time to find his rhythm. His early attempts did not trouble Ederson, and he occasionally appeared frustrated by the lack of space. However, in the second half, he raised his game and became more dangerous. His speed and positioning allowed him to score the equalizer, showcasing why he is one of the best players in the world. A performance that improved as the match progressed.
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