The quality of Manchester City’s team asks for no explanation, but in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, we got another indication of the kind of players Pep Guardiola has at his disposal. The entire match against the current European champion, at Bernabeu – the Citizens played with the same 11 players!Without a single change, the guests managed to remain undefeated and with a 1-1, they await the rematch in a week at their Etihad Stadium.UCL: Thunderbolts from Vinicius and De Bruyne keep the uncertainty between Real and CityCity had twice as much ball possession as its rivals in the first part of the match (57-43 at full time in favor of Cityzens), but went to the break with a deficit of one goal. Despite that, Guardiola did not change anything in the composition of his team. Not even after the equalizer with a goal by Kevin De Bruyne in the 67th minute. From start to finish, the following players for the guests were: Ederson – Walker, Dias, Akanji – Rodri, Stones, Gundogan, De Bruyne – Bernardo Silva, Grealish and Haaland.”The players who were on the field were good. Those who have certain responsibilities played, and that is to keep the ball. “Real move great in transition. We knew that if the game went ‘crazy’ we wouldn’t be able to be at their level,” Guardiola explained why he insisted on a lot of possession, which did not make for an overly interesting match, but did leave his team undefeated in a difficult away game.##NAJAVA_MECA_7244857##Despite having the initiative, the guests did not create many chances. More was especially expected from the top scorer of the Premier League, the Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.”The space between Camavinga and Carvajal was not filled by the stoppers, but by Valverde and Toni Kroos, while both central defenders were concentrated on the striker (Haaland). It was not easy for him, maybe we will play in a different rhythm in the second leg. This was an even match, when we were better, they scored a goal, and while they were better, we scored. As I thought, the finalist will be decided in Manchester. I am satisfied with the draw, I gladly take 1-1 than 3-0 in their favor.” added Guardiola.
