Carlo Ancelotti presented a team especially in defense (he had absences due to injuries to Vazquez, Rudiger, Alabama, Militao) where he presented a right back, the Uruguayan, Federico Valverde. Next to him, also midfielder, Frenchman Tchouaméni . Second stopper, the talented but inexperienced in such games, Raul Asensio and on the left, the Frenchman, Ferland Mendy, who is rarely used. And yet these kids, helped by Ceballos (Modric entered in the 82nd minute), Camavinga, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe and Vinicius, struggled, and in the end they came away victorious.

On the other hand, Manchester City, without facing any particular problems with absences, and while they led in the score, in the end they were unable to hold on to it. It seemed once again, for some inexplicable reason, that they were collapsing at the end and losing games that perhaps at some point were in their hands.

City took the lead twice

The home team Manchester City even took the lead twice with the tall Norwegian forward Erling Haaland (19', 80' with a penalty). But Real showed why they are the European champions and why they are called "Queens". They made an incredible comeback in the final and won 3-2, which makes them the first favorite to qualify for the last 16.

The guests in the meantime continued to try. They pressed and in the 60th minute they were justified, with Ceballos passing the ball over the defenders of the citizens and the French striker, Kylian Mbappe catching the shot in the movement with the stick, for the ball to be deflected and end up in the back of the goal for 1-1 (his 24th goal this year in all competitions with the Real shirt).

City, for their part, by making some changes, managed to take control, at least for a while. The international English midfielder, Phil Foden, rushed towards the penalty area and the midfielder Ceballos overturned him. The French referee Turpin indicated the spot for the penalty and Haaland scored, making it 2-1 in the 80th minute. At that time, most City fans must have believed that the game was over in their favor…

But the emotions were not over at the "Etihad". Real Madrid came back in front and after equalizing in the 86th minute with Brahim Diaz scoring with a right-footed shot inside the area (2-2). And just before the final whistle, the English international midfielder, Jude Bellingham, scored in the 90+2 minute, giving his team a great victory, inside the Etihad. Which of course also gives them a big lead for qualifying for the round of 16 of the Champions League.

In the end… they cried

It is noteworthy that Manchester City fans trolled them before the game with a banner, in which the protagonist was Rodri and his kiss on the Ballon d'Or. And it had the caption "Stop Crying Your Heart Out", from the song of the same name by the legendary Oasis, declared Citizens. The message to Real was of course clear: "Stop crying"! In fact, Rodri, who was in the stands of the "Etihad", showed great appreciation for this gesture and got up to take a picture of his banner! In the end, of course, the ones who laughed were the Real players...

Manos Staramopoulos

Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs

Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com

Athens (Greece)