Manchester City opened the door to a re-entry into the semi-finals of the Champions League with a work win against Atletico Madrid.
The leaders of the English Premier League won the quarter-final first leg against the extremely defensive Spaniards 1-0 (0-0). Kevin De Bruyne (70th) redeemed the million ensemble from star coach Pep Guardiola.
In the second game of the night, City’s bitter English Championship rivals, Liverpool FC beat Benfica Lisbon 3-1.
With Ilkay Gündogan as captain, last year’s finalist initially bit his teeth out of the guests. Despite almost 75 percent possession of the ball, there was not a single significant chance in the English rain until the break. Madrid, finalists in 2014 and 2016, defended skilfully with two chains of five, Diego Simeone’s tactics fully paid off.
“It was a very difficult game. Atletico played very defensively, but that’s their way. We played very well under the circumstances and created a few chances, especially in the second half,” said goalscorer De Bruyne after the game.
Atletico remained without a shot on goal for the entire 90 minutes – laupt choose they were only the fourth team in Champions League history to write a zero in this statistic. “I have to admit it’s fun to see how City play, the patience they have, but we both want the same thing, to win,” said Simeone. “We wanted to defend well, close the gaps and surprise them with counterattacks. It was a very difficult game.”
Guardiola was “very” satisfied with his team’s performance: “We were dealing with an incredibly strong team that is very difficult to play on. It’s a good result. We had chances for a second and third goal.”
Phil Foden’s golden pass for De Bruyne
Indeed, City became more dangerous in the second half. A header from Aymeric Laporte (64′) went just over the goal, a little later it was time: Phil Foden served De Bruyne with a clever pass, the Belgian pushed into the far corner with an overview. “Phil’s pass was perfect and luckily I found the gap,” said De Bruyne in praise of the Englishman.
City have never won club football’s most coveted trophy, despite cash injections from Abu Dhabi. A year ago, the Sky Blues failed in the final at Chelsea. Atletico is also missing the handle pot in the showcase. The second leg will take place in Madrid on April 13th.
Atletico and Simeone had already annoyed Guardiola decisively: In 2016 the Spaniards eliminated Bayern Munich, who had been coached by Guardiola, in the semifinals.
Manchester City – Atletico Madrid: The data of the game
Manchester City: Ederson – Ake, Laporte, Stones, Joao Cancelo – Rodri – De Bruyne, Gündogan (68. Grealish) – Mahrez (68. Foden), Sterling (68. Jesus), Bernardo Silva. – Trainer: Guardiola
Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Felipe, Savic, Mandava – Vrsaljko, Kondogbia, Lodi – Llorente (60. Cunha), Koke (60. de Paul) – Joao Felix (81. Lemar), Griezmann (60. Correa). – Trainer: Simeone
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
Tor: 1:0 De Bruyne (70.)
Spectator: 52.018
Yellow cards: Jesus (3), Ederson – de Paul (2), Correa (2), Vrsaljko