A thunderous Kevin De Bruyne bullet earned Manchester City a 1-1 draw at Real Madrid in a gripping Champions League semi-final first leg battle on Wednesday morning.
The Belgian slammed Pep Guardiola’s guests stage after Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for the reigning champions from distance in equally spectacular vogue.
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De Bruyne’s strike noticed him create a number of particular data, together with changing into the primary participant to ever rating a number of instances in opposition to Real on the Bernabeu in a Champions League fixture throughout a couple of match.
His freakish ability from past the penalty field was additionally cemented among the many greats of the sport.
Spanish star Rodri stated: “He’s a massive player for us, he’s always been great and he helped us in the moment we most needed it.
“With this goal he gives us the confidence to keep pushing.”
Madrid managed to fully shackle deadly striker Erling Haaland however De Bruyne’s highly effective effort left the tie on a knife edge forward of the second leg in Manchester subsequent week.
The document 14-time winners knocked City out on the identical stage final season regardless of being outplayed in each video games, and took the lead on the Santiago Bernabeu in opposition to the run of play.
However when Madrid discovered their stride within the second half, City — nonetheless chasing their first ever Champions League trophy — hit again via De Bruyne.
“I don’t think anyone will feel stronger, it’s an open result, we knew it wasn’t going to end here, and the tie is 50-50,” Madrid midfielder Luka Modric informed Movistar.
“When they had the ball, we were strong, we held our ground, after the goal we improved in pressing and on the ball, it’s a pity about their goal.”
Guardiola chosen Kyle Walker at right-back to fight the pacy risk of Real Madrid winger Vinicius, whereas Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for Toni Kroos on the base of midfield.
Rodrygo, who struck two late objectives in its place final season in opposition to Manchester City to pave Madrid’s passage into the ultimate, began after his Copa del Rey heroics on Saturday.
The guests managed a lot of the primary half, with almost 70 per cent possession, however went in trailing on the break.
Thibaut Courtois fielded an early barrage of pictures from De Bruyne, Rodri and Haaland, as City dominated and Madrid sat again, absorbing the strain.
Guardiola’s aspect have been issued a warning when Vinicius gained the ball excessive up the pitch and crossed for Karim Benzema however Ruben Dias made an excellent interception.
It was Madrid’s solely assault of observe after half an hour and although City have been peppering Courtois, it was the closest both aspect got here, till Vinicius struck.
Madrid took the lead via a deadly counter-attack, with Eduardo Camavinga, enjoying at left-back, surging previous Bernardo Silva, tearing into house and feeding Vinicius.
The Brazilian arrowed a strike into the highest left nook from nearly 25 yards, previous Ederson’s helpless dive. It was Madrid’s solely shot within the first half, however the sport’s only one.
City have been upset with a few of Madrid’s defensive aggression, notably Dani Carvajal’s makes an attempt at shackling Jack Grealish, together with slamming him into the promoting hoardings with out punishment.
David Alaba thwarted Haaland with a positive block early within the second half, as Madrid saved the Norwegian purpose machine beneath lock and key on his first look in opposition to them.
Madrid didn’t permit him a transparent sight of purpose, guaranteeing he couldn’t add to his 51 objectives from 46 video games this season throughout all competitions.
Madrid’s urgent was tremendously improved after the break they usually pinned City again at instances, displaying way more initiative than they provided in the beginning.
However with Los Blancos ascendent, City sucker-punched them, simply as Madrid did to the Premier League leaders within the first half.
De Bruyne slammed the guests stage with a shot from the identical vary as Vinicius’s opener, on the identical finish, hammered low previous Courtois.
The superstars will resume their duel subsequent week.
— with AFP
Originally revealed as Man City freak’s absolute bullet rocks Champions League
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
