When the Champions League draw came out, it was obvious that the Real Madrid – Manchester City game was the most interesting one. Last year’s semi-finalists met one round earlier this year and the game was the best one so far in the whole tournament. Although football is an unpredictable game, it’s hard to imagine another game will match this one, at least in this year’s edition of the Champions League. Tonight we saw atomic football, aggression, sacrifice, chances and six fantastic goals in a 3-3 thriller at Santiago Bernabeu.The first goal came after only two minutes, and both teams overturned the score before settling for a draw. Real was certainly the ‘hungrier’ team and played with more passion and aggression than in any other game this season, clearly having in mind the result from the last season. City was as dominant in possession (67%) and had a big disadvantage as they lost Kevin de Bruyne just minutes before the match over sickness, but they had three game-changers: Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Joško Gvardiol, who scored a long-distance goal each and saved the Citizens from a defeat in the first game. On the other hand, the Brazilian duo Vinicius – Rodrygo was a nightmare for the guests’ defence as they created havoc in the penalty area. Rodrygo scored a screamer while Vinicius assisted two goals, one of which was also a beauty by Valverde, which prevented Real’s defeat.It was the second minute of the game when the away fans roared at the packed Santiago Bernabeu stadium. A free kick was awarded around 25 meters from the goal and nobody expected that Bernardo Silva will shoot straight to the goal. But the Portuguese winger was a bit cheeky and decided to do it anyway, which caught goalkeeper Lunin completely unaware. The shock lasted for about ten minutes, and if City used their second big chance in that period, this game would have finished differently. Haaland was denied in the 7th minute by Lunin, and that was basically it for City in the first half. Everything else was just Real Madrid. In the 12th minute, it was time for Camavinga to try the 25-meter shot, but Ruben Dias got his leg out and the ball went into the net as an own goal. Two minutes later, a total turnaround, but this was a proper goal, unlike Real’s first. A lighting quick counterattack was started by Vinicius on his own half and he passed the ball to Rodrygo, who did the rest and passed the ball through the legs of Akanji for a fantastic second goal. The Brazilian had another great chance in the 34th minute but didn’t get the ball right and eight minutes later, Vinicius, on the other wing, had a similar chance.The Citizens came out attacking in the second half, but that didn’t last long, and soon Bellingham and Vinicius had their chances. And just like Haaland missed the opportunity while City was leading 1-0, these two players will have a sleepless night as they ruined the chance to score the third goal. Instead, the current champion overturned the game with two wonder goals in the space of five minutes. First, it was Phil Foden with a thunderbolt from 20 meters, and then Joško Gvardiol scored almost the same goal from the same distance to make it 3-2. But Valverde made up for his average performance with a great goal in the 79th minute and prevented a defeat.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – QUARTER-FINALSFirst legTuesdayArsenal – Bayern 2-2 (1-2)/Saka 12, Trossard 76 – Gnabry 18, Kane 32(p)Real Madrid – Man.City 3-3 (2-1)/Dias (og) 12, Rodrygo 14, Valverde 79 – Silva 2, Foden 66, Gvardiol 71/Wednesday22:00: (1.85) Atl.Madrid (3.60) Dortmund (4.80)22:00: (2.05) PSG (3.60) Barcelona (3.80)***odds are subject to change***
