Eleven times. That is how often Real Madrid and Manchester City have faced each other in the UEFA Champions League since 2020. It is almost becoming a habit that they meet in the knockout stage of the biggest stage in club football. In the past this fixture has hardly ever disappointed.
At the beginning of December they already played each other. In the group stage the Skyblues were the better side with a 1:2 win. I was also present in the stadium that evening and saw how the visitors only managed to win for the second time ever in the Spanish capital.
The plan was to go to this match beforehand, but believe it or not, the tickets were not sold out. But be honest, Real Madrid in the Champions League is something a football fan can never say no to. So decision was quickly made to still go a few days before the game, the Belgian battle between Thibaut Courtois and Jérémy Doku made it even more special to attend the game for me personally.
It does not happen often but the home side would not start this match as the favourite. Something that has barely happened in recent years. When Federico Valverde and Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to the press they were immediately asked what they thought about that. For the vice captain and the coach one thing was clear, for them Los Blancos are always the favourite and they were ready for the battle.
Favourite or not, the home side had to do it without star players Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. The visitors from England were in a better position, with Norwegian top striker Erling Haaland just returning from a minor injury that kept him sidelined against Newcastle in the weekend. For the second time this season there was no clash between the two great attackers.
That there is magic in the air at the Bernabeu on European nights became clear once again. Man City started the match very sharply with several chances but failed to convert them. This was mainly because there was no attacker in the second zone when the crosses came in. The home side created their first chance through Brahim Díaz, who got another opportunity to start due to the many injuries.
The Citizens sensed their chance and pushed forward, but it cost them dearly. After 20 minutes Courtois easily catches a corner and sends the ball forward with a perfect kick towards Valverde. With an incredible run of about 40 metres the Uruguayan makes it 1:0. Gianluigi Donnarumma misjudges the ball and hesitates to use his hands near the penalty area. A lead for Madrid completely against the run of play. For Courtois it was already his second assist of this campaign.
The troops of Pep Guardiola were not shaken by that opening goal and continued doing what they always do, attacking. But when Vinícius Júnior delivers a good action on the left flank and sends Valverde perfect in the box, he scored his secong goal. Like a true striker Valverde finishes with his left foot into the far corner in the 27th minute.
The Bernabeu was still recovering from that unexpected 2:0 lead, completely against the run of play the home side suddenly had a big advantage. When Valverde scored for the third time after a brilliant move the Bernabeu truly explodes. After a beautiful assist from Brahim Díaz he lifts the ball over Marc Guehi and doesn’t give Donnaruma any chance. A 3:0 lead and for the vice captain of Real Madrid his first hattrick for his club. Three amazing goals, which were all unique in its own way.
When the half time whistle sounds it is not only the players who need a moment to recover. The 78 thousand fans in attendance also have to process the spectacle they have just witnessed.
In the second half Real Madrid came out of the dressing room mainly aiming to take the best possible advantage to travel to the British port city next week. It seemed that Arbeloa opted for a more defensive style of play, although the host came close to scorea again immediately in the second half.
There was an early chance for Diaz after 2 minutes in the second half, but without any success due to a great save by the Italian goalkeeper. The fourth goal seemed to be coming 10 minutes later when Vinícius Júnior was brought down in the penalty area by Donnarumma. The Brazilian decided to take the penalty himself but failed to score as the Italian guessed the right corner on a poorly taken shot.
When you think of Manchester City you think of a team that scores in almost every match, it is their identity. But when Courtois produces a brilliant save on a shot from Nico O’reilly after a simple loss of possession by Pittarch, it became clear that this would be one of those nights where nothing works for Guardiola’s side. The young leftback scored in the fixture back in December but got denied this time by “San Thibaut”.
With a few more chances the visitors came close to a goal that would have made next week easier, but the Belgian giant between the sticks stood firm. At the end Omar Marmous, who was subbed in for an invisible Haaland, looked to score, but his shot missed precision.
And so Guardiola and his team lost by three goals to nill in the Spanish capital, a result I would never have expected before the match. Next week the Citizens face a very difficult task if they want to reach the round of sixteen of the Champions League.
And that is football. Despite the many injuries and the underdog status Real Madrid did it again. A very strong first step for Los Blancos to the quarter finals Man of the match clearly goes to Federico Valverde. With his first hattrick and incredible form all season the Uruguayan made a great statement in the race for the Ballon D’or.
