Could he play or not? After David Alaba had to be substituted at half-time in the 3-1 league win against Osasuna due to adductor problems, his start in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Champions League was uncertain. But in the end Carlo Ancelotti was able to count on the services of the ÖFB defender at Manchester City. The Citizens got off to a dream start and were put in the lead by Kevin de Bruyne in the second minute. After a cross from Mahrez, the Belgian headed in to make it 1-0 for the Guardiola team. The nightmare start from Real’s point of view continued in the 11th minute. Alaba lost the decisive duel against Gabriel Jesus after a pass from De Bruyne in the penalty area. This scored from the turn to make it 2-0 for Manchester City.
After 21 minutes, however, Alaba proved to be a savior in need from Real’s point of view. After a corner kick, the ball landed at Foden, who shoots from 17 meters. But Alaba blocked the shot in time. But even after that, the hosts were clearly the better team. Mahres took aim in the 27th minute. His attempt missed the bar by a hair’s breadth. Three minutes later, Foden was also just inches away when his shot went just wide of the post. On the other hand, Alaba could have shortened. The ÖFB team defender headed just wide of the Citizens’ goal after a cross from Benzema. The Royals’ response followed in the 33rd minute. Who else but Benzema shortened to 1: 2. Mendy found the French striker with a measured cross in the penalty area. Benzema kicked the ball past Ederson at the far corner.
Towards the end of the first half, Real Madrid got into this game better and better, also as Los Blancos found stability in defence. David Alaba had to be substituted at half-time. After his adductor problems, the Viennese was not one hundred percent fit. Manchester City had the first big opportunity in the second half. Militao misjudged the duel, Mahrez ran alone towards the Madrilenians’ goal, but failed on the post. The ball came to Foden, who also failed to get the ball over the line because Carvajal was still in the way.
But Manchester City increased the lead in the 53rd minute of the game. Real lost the ball in forward motion. Fernandinho crossed into the box from the right to Foden, who headed it to make it 3-1. But once again, Real Madrid came back into the game a little later. Vinicius Junior left Fernandinho looking old on the left, fueled through and put the ball back to make it 2-3 with a shot into the far corner. As a result, the locals pushed the pace again. Laporte finished after a pass into the penalty area. But his shot is too central, so Courtois was able to prevent another goal.
In the 74th minute of the game, however, the Real goalkeeper was powerless. Zinchenko was initially fouled. However, referee Istvan Kovacs allowed play to continue because Bernardo Silva took the ball with him, shot and made it 4-2 in a remarkable manner. But you can never write off Real Madrid. Manchester City experienced that first-hand in the 81st minute. After a handball from Laporte, the official pointed to the penalty spot. Benzema didn’t miss this opportunity and Real came close again. In the end, Manchester City travels to Madrid with a one-goal advantage.
