UCL: Real Madrid, Man City settle for 3-3 draw in thrilling encounter

UCL: Real Madrid, Man City settle for 3-3 draw in thrilling encounter

Three goals in the first 14 minutes. Back-and-forth attacking. Stunning second-half strikes.

It was an instant classic between the newest Champions League rivals, with Real Madrid and Manchester City drawing 3-3 in a frantic first leg of the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

“I imagine the fans enjoyed a game like this, with six goals,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.

“Both teams wanted to attack, doing it in different ways, a bit out of control.”

Federico Valverde scored a 79th-minute equalizer for Madrid after City had rallied with Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol scoring goals five minutes apart midway through the second half at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Bernardo Silva had put City ahead two minutes into the match, but Madrid rallied with an own-goal by City defender Rúben Dias in the 12th and a score by forward Rodrygo in the 14th.

 

“We wanted to take at least a small advantage, but in the end we are satisfied because we competed well and gave our best,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “If we do the same in the return match, we can come away victorious.”

“We wanted to win and get a positive result out of the first game, but in the end we drew, making the mistake of letting in goals that we shouldn’t have,” Rodrygo told Movistar.

“We have to win there now… it’s all open, whoever makes less mistakes there will go through.”

Guardiola omitted influential playmaker Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian said he was unwell shortly before the game, opting for Mateo Kovacic in midfield alongside Rodri Hernandez.

The former Barcelona coach also chose Stefan Ortega in goal over the experienced Ederson, only just back from a thigh injury, while Gvardiol overcame a fitness doubt to start.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni at centre-back over Nacho Fernandez and an early rash challenge from the Frenchman paved the way for City’s opener.

-The Seattle Times