ManCity coach Pep Guardiola suspects evil before the hot semi-final duel with Real Madrid. “We will suffer,” he says in awe. Probably also with a special look at striker Karim Benzema, who is playing his 600th game for Real against City – and before the kick-off has already scored an incredible 39 goals this season across all competitions. In 40 missions.
But it’s another superstar who provides the music in this semi-final first leg: Kevin De Bruyne! The Belgian nodded off to make it 1-0 with a head in the second minute – and did something for Guardiola’s nerves early on.
The Royals are really taken apart in the starting phase, played right on the wall. In the 11th minute, De Bruyne also set up Gabriel Jesus’ 2-0 lead with his cross.
Madrid stars demoted to extras
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, himself a three-time Champions League winner as a coach (twice Milan, once Real), cannot believe his eyes. Its stars? At first they are just extras! Performed by De Bruyne, who has scored in an international knockout game for the seventh time since 2020. And thus once again underlines its importance in the really big games.
De Bruyne’s powerful moves launch a game that only gets better with time – and in which Real are gradually picking up steam. Benzema (33rd) reports with the connection goal. Who else? And Vinicius Junior (55th) promptly found an answer to Phil Foden’s 3:1 (53rd) in the second half after a mega run over half the pitch. Guardiola actually does not come through without suffering! It’s suddenly a wild back and forth at Etihad Stadium.
Because Bernardo Silva’s (74th) dream goal to make it 4: 2 followed immediately by Benzema’s 4: 3 by means of a hand penalty. Insanity! Pep can only breathe a sigh of relief in the 93rd minute. The first leg win is perfect. (mpe)