City, deservedly, win praise from all quarters for a stunning first leg victory at the Bernabeu and there is, as you might imagine plenty to go at.
So, let’s delve in…
Reports
Daily Mail: City lay down marker with historic win
Martin Samuel writes: “City have put down a marker. Not just the win, but two away goals, a successful and pragmatic game plan, and a return leg that will not feature Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, sent off for a professional foul on the edge of the area which prevented a third, with Gabriel Jesus speeding away.
“This was a tactical triumph for Guardiola, too. City were superior to Real Madrid throughout, and Zinedine Zidane’s team, out-thought, fell apart near the end. In eight minutes, they lost the lead, conceded a penalty and Ramos was dismissed.
“It was a huge blow for the second leg when they will be chasing the game in front of a raucous crowd. Madrid’s captain is a huge influence; not least on referees. Daniele Orsato did the right thing here, mind.”
Reuters: De Bruyne leads remarkable City comeback win in Madrid
Richard Martin writes: “Manchester City finally produced a Champions League performance worthy of their status as one of European football’s elite clubs by beating Real Madrid 2-1 away in Wednesday’s last-16 first leg after pulling off a stunning late fightback.
“Kevin De Bruyne kept his cool to beat Belgium team mate Thibaut Courtois from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute to give City the lead after Gabriel Jesus had headed home a cross from De Bruyne to pull the visitors level in the 78th minute.
“Isco had given Real the lead on the hour mark following a sweeping counterattack but the 13-times European champions’ night soon unravelled, culminating in captain Sergio Ramos being sent off for hauling down Jesus in a bid to prevent a third City goal.
“City coach Pep Guardiola, who has not gone past the quarter-final in his three previous seasons with the club, was delighted with how his side turned the match around but also said the tie was still wide open.
‘Winning in the Bernabeu gives us great satisfaction, it’s incredible for us and not something this club is used to. I’m very pleased with the result and the performance, we showed great personality,’ he said before sounding a note of caution.
‘If there is one club who was capable of turning a tie around it is Real Madrid, they have the history and experience in this competition to do it.’
Irish Independent: City in pole position after Real unravel
Jason Burt writes: “Finally, Guardiola turned to Sterling just after City were fortunate not to concede a second when Luka Modric’s volley was deflected over.
“Once more, though, the game switched.
“Just as Real appeared in control, De Bruyne took over, twisting, beating two defenders, before delivering a cross that was met by Jesus, whose header squirmed under Courtois and over the goal-line. The dynamic had shifted back.
“It became even more emphatic. This time Sterling worked his way into the Real area with Dani Carvajal lunging in, bringing him down. The penalty was given and De Bruyne stepped up to roll it nervelessly into the corner of the net. City had overturned everything.”
Spanish reaction
Marca: Los Blancos face uphill task
Arch Bell writes: “City started the second half on the front foot and had several good cracks at Courtois in goal. Yet just when Real Madrid were at their worst, they scored the game’s first goal. Modric plucked the ball away near midfield and fed Vinicius, who split two defenders with a cross to Isco and it was an easy stroke into net for a 1-0 lead.
“The goal changed everything, and with Real Madrid smelling blood, they started to swarm City deep in their own half. Guardiola countered by bringing on Raheem Sterling for Bernardo Silva, while Zidane made a move of his own, replacing Vinicius with Gareth Bale.
“The English club would hit back, as a fantastic solo effort from De Bruyne set up Gabriel Jesus to head in past Courtois to pull City level at 1-1. Now, it was City with all the momentum and just minutes after entering the pitch,
“Sterling won a penalty when he was taken down by Dani Carvajal just inside the area. De Bruyne stepped up and coolly fired in the spot kick to make it a 1-2 City lead. Zidane went all out in attack in hopes of getting a goal back, so Modric and Isco made way for Lucas Vazquez and Luka Jovic respectively. Jesus, who was brought down from behind by Ramos, leaving Italian referee Daniele Orsati no choice but to issue a red card to the Real Madrid captain.
“It was mainly all about damage control for Los Blancos after that, with the exception of a stoppage-time chance for Mendy, with the final whistle signalling the end of second straight Champions League knockout round defeat on home soil for Real Madrid.”
Opinion
Evening Standard: Ferdinand says De Bruyne is world’s best
“City star Kevin De Bruyne‘s display against Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 first leg proves he is the ‘best midfielder in the world’ according to Rio Ferdinand.
“The Belgian was influential throughout playing in an unfamiliar false nine role, taking centre stage as City’s main creative hub.
“And the tactical switch worked a treat as the Premier League champions snatched a 2-1 win against the Spanish giants at Santiago Bernabeu.
“De Bruyne crafted a delightful chip into the box for Gabriel Jesus to head home the equaliser after Isco’s opener and later slotted home from the penalty spot when Dani Carvajal brought down Raheem Sterling.
“The 28-year-old has enjoyed a fine season for City with eight goals and 18 assists, and Ferdinand hailed him as the finest in the world at present.
‘He’s the best midfielder in the world right now,’ Ferdinand said to BT Sport after the game.
‘I don’t think there’s anyone near him in terms of what he can do.
‘He does everything: his athleticism, running away from people, his pass appreciation, his decision-making in the final third.
‘I would say 99 per cent of the time, he gets it right.’
Sky Sports: Guardiola vindicated as City beat Real Madrid
Nick Wright reports: “Pep Guardiola‘s line-up and tactics against Real Madrid invited scrutiny, but the performance and result vindicated his approach
“Manchester City’s starting line-up against Real Madrid on Wednesday night, missing Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho, probably shouldn’t have caused quite as much surprise as it did.
“After all, if Pep Guardiola‘s recent history in the Champions League knockout stages has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected.
“But who could have foreseen Gabriel Jesus lining up as an auxiliary left-back at the Bernabeu? Who could have predicted Kevin De Bruyne playing as a false nine? Even by Guardiola‘s standards, this was something else.
“And yet, while his out-of-the-box thinking has proved his undoing on this stage in previous years - leading to accusations of overthinking his tactics in the big European games - this time it helped Manchester City secure a historic 2-1 win which puts them within reach of the quarter-finals.
“It might have been perceived differently had Real Madrid held on to their lead, of course. But that goal owed more to individual lapses of concentration than anything else. First, Nicolas Otamendi and Rodri combined to surrender possession in their own half. Then, Kyle Walker botched his clearance, allowing Vinicius Junior to set up Isco.”
Stats
Goal: Pep moves ahead of European greats after Bernabeu win
Dejan Kalinic writes: “The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has moved ahead of some big names with his latest European victory with Manchester City
“Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has surpassed Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti for the most wins by a manager in the Champions League knockout stage.
“Guardiola‘s side came from behind to stun Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
“A two-time Champions League winner while at the helm of Barcelona, Guardiola made history courtesy of City’s victory.
“It was his 28th win in the Champions League knockout stage, moving him past Ferguson, Mourinho and Ancelotti, who all have 27.”
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