Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City (Valverde x3). What a win… Here is the reaction to the stunning victory. More for you: Player ratings, interviews and a ManagingMadrid podcast.
This was the day that many had been dreading… Manchester City in the Champions League, and perhaps the first world class team to face Álvaro Arbeloa and his Real Madrid. Thiago Pitarch retained a starting spot in midfield, while Ferland Mendy returned to the team after what seemed like a lifetime away. The injury list was still
long, so five Castilla players were brought onto the bench. Fede Valverde captained Real Madrid.
The first half was dreamland for Real Madrid, largely thanks to one man. Fede Valverde scored the first goal when he controlled a long Thibaut Courtois pass perfectly before another delicate touch beat the keeper, leaving him an open net to find. Fede Valverde then scored the second, with a snapshot effort using his weaker foot. He would have a first-half hat-trick, scoring perhaps the best goal of the evening – an incredible touch over the defender before rifling the ball into the bottom corner. Half-time, unbelievably, 3-0 to Real Madrid.
The second half would contain less action, but Real Madrid would still look good – and should have had a fourth when Vinícius Júnior was brought down by the goalkeeper inside the area to give Los Blancos a chance from the spot. The Brazilian stepped up to take it, something many fans are never confident to see – and it became clear why, as a tame effort was saved easily. Manchester City then had a couple of chances, most notably after the ball was pinched from Thiago Pitarch right in front of goal – only for Thibaut Courtois to display some lighting quick reactions to deny the visitors a goal. Brahim Díaz came close to extending the lead again, but his shot was saved after a good drive with the ball. Full-time: Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City. Who would’ve thought it?
