City’s EDS held to stalemate against 10-man Real Madrid

Ben Wilkinson’s side had earned a dominant 4-0 UEFA Youth League win in Madrid just six days earlier, but the visitors took just three minutes to get in front this time through Cesar Palacios.

But City weren’t fazed and Emilio Lawrence drew us level just before the half-hour mark with a low-driven finish.

Pol Fortuny was shown a straight red card for spitting part way through the second half, leaving 10-man Real Madrid with work to do against an energetic City side.

And both teams had chances in the final stages, but neither could find the decisive strike to earn more than a share of the spoils.

WHAT HAPPENED

Real Madrid made eight changes to their starting line-up from last week’s clash in the Spanish capital which saw our Under-19s earn a fantastic 4-0 win.

But City had changes of our own, with six new names in Tuesday night’s line-up.

And yet, the same high-quality, quick-intensity football was on show.

The visitors took the lead on three minutes when Palacios showed good composure inside the City box to place his shot into the bottom right corner.

City’s first chance to respond came 10 minutes later when Justin Oboavwoduo set himself up nicely to get his shot away, but Sergio Mestre’s outstretched right foot denied our forward the equaliser.

But our next shot on target would see us level.

City won the ball in the centre circle after sloppy play by Real Madrid. Good, quick link-up between Mamad Sangare, Oboavwoduo and Lawrence saw the latter find space on the left edge of the box.

And our number 11 fired a low, left-footed effort under Mestre on 28 minutes, which was the perfect confidence booster for our young boys in blue.

However, Real Madrid had a big opportunity to retake the lead on 38 minutes.

A misplaced pass by Kian Noble allowed Daniel Mesonero to get a shot away, but Jack Wint made a fantastic save to keep the score tied at the break.

It was a dramatic second half as Real Madrid were reduced to 10 after Pol Fortuny spat at Jadel Katongo.

The intensity of the game didn’t falter as both teams attacked with speed and purpose, but neither could find the vital second goal as we entered the final 10 minutes.

Regan Heskey had the best chance of the second 45 when he saw a header cleared off the line after excellent wing play from Lawrence, and the drama continued when City thought we’d found the winner.

Indeed, Katongo had the ball of the back of the net four minutes into added time when he rose highest to head home at the back post, but the referee felt Real Madrid goalkeeper Mestre had been fouled in the process.

It would prove to be the final attack for either team as the points were shared in the PL International Cup.

TEAMS

CITY XI | Wint, Nfonkeu, Noble, Katongo, McFarlane, Braithwaite (Fapetu 58’), R. Heskey, J. Heskey (McAidoo 66’), Sangare (Muir 66’), Oboavwoduo (F. Samba 58’), Lawrence.

SUBS | Brits, Smith, Warhurst.

REAL MADRID XI | Mestre, Perea (Galassi 82’), Moran (Lacosta 69’), Palacios (Alves 69’), Fortea, Fortuny, Fati, Navascues, Mesonero (Mascaro 66’), Lezcano, Leiva (Almeida 82’).

SUBS | Sunico.

AS A RESULT

After two games, City have two points and therefore sit fifth in Group A. 

Only the top two teams from the eight-team groups advance to the knockout stage.

We have two more games to play. We welcome RB Leipzig and AS Monaco to the Joie Stadium in the New Year.

UP NEXT 

Our EDS will enjoy a well-earned winter break, which means their first game will be on Saturday 10 January.

We welcome Burnley to the Joie Stadium with kick-off slated for 19:00 (UK).