The first leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City certainly lived up to its billing. The Santiago Bernabeu was witness to multiple screamers as goal after goal kept the crowd on its toes. Despite either side netting thrice in the game, Man City forward and talismanic striker Erling Haaland had a match to forget.
The Norwegian No.9 was far from his best as he failed to make any attacking contribution on the pitch. His mediocre performance elicited censure from former Real Madrid man Rafael Van der Vaart. He also pointed out how Haaland’s own teammates opted not to pass to him because of his performance.
Haaland was very bad. If he doesn't score, he's useless. I find him a very average player on the ball. He was the worst player on the pitch. Rafael Van der Vaart as quoted by Centregoals
Statistically speaking, the City No.9 had an abysmal performance against the Spanish giants. The Real Madrid defense worked particularly well to limit the forward to just one shot throughout the game.
He was only able to make 20 touches throughout the full 90 minutes. Fans were quick to praise Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger for his rock solid display, particularly in his attempts to contain Haaland.
Goals galore as Real Madrid settle for draw at Santiago Bernabeu
While many initially argued that the clash between Real and City should have come later in the competition, the clash definitely lived up to expectations. From Phil Foden to Federico Valverde and Joško Gvardiol, the game was full of bangers, as either side tried to tip the game in their favor. However, the spoils were shared at the end, with both sides scoring three goals apiece.
City took the lead early on through Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese stunned the home crowd as he curled his free-kick around the Madrid wall, catching Andriy Lunin off-guard. It didn’t take long for Real to get back in the game, when a shot from Eduardo Camavinga took a huge deflection from Ruben Dias and found its way into the City net.
Moments later, Rodrygo Goes fired the hosts into the lead. His shot from close range slowly found its way into an unguarded City net.
The second half came as a much better version of the first, as the crowd was witness to three screamers within the space of 13 minutes. Foden curled an unbelievable shot into the top left corner, giving Lunin no chance to make a save.
Shortly afterwards, Gvardiol gave City the lead from a similar position. His shot too, was too much for Lunin as the visitors once again took the lead. As the game quickly shifted in City’s favor, up stepped Valverde to save the day.
The Uruguayan unleashed a bullet shot after meeting Vinicius Jr.‘s cross on the volley. His low driven shot went past Stefan Ortega, who had little to no time to react.
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