Battle at the Bernabeu

Written by: Rohan Sharma

In my last blog, I had explained the build-up of this match between these two powerhouses of Europe and what a match it turned out to be! 

Manchester City ran out 2-1 victors at the Bernabeu, but it was a tightly contested affair and a great tactical battle from both Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane . But if there is anything we have learnt from Zidane’s Real it is that they should never be underestimated as they know this competition much better than their English counterparts and thus there still is plenty more to expect from in the return fixture from both sides in 3 weeks.

Let’s look at how both the teams lined up for the match

 

When the line-ups were announced many were left surprised as Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were starting this mega clash from the bench in a huge gamble from the Catalan.

Meanwhile Zidane also made a huge call to drop Marcelo on the bench (presumably for the Clasico in the weekend) and including Gareth Bale in his squad (who was missing from the Team Squad in their defeat to Levante in the weekend prior to the clash).

Tactics employed by both teams

1)      Real Madrid

 

  Real Madrid was playing with a man-oriented press right from the get-go as Zidane was aware of City’s possessional build-up from the back and had every City the player marked which resulted in Ederson playing long balls to get City upfield which was easily taken care by Madrid’s towering Center Backs.

 

When in possession Madrid would have their full-backs high up the pitch and have their Center Backs wide to make it difficult for a City forward to mark them and would often have Casemiro and Modric drop to CDM and RB position respectively. If City pressed higher up the pitch then Real would play Long balls to their Full backs catching City on the break.

 

Real Madrid’s pressing paid off early in the second half when three Real players forced Rodri to lose the ball in the transition catching City’s Center Backs out of Position and as a result, Madrid scored a  beautiful goal through Isco.

2)      Manchester City

Manchester City on paper looked to play in their usual 4-3-3 formation but after kick-off shifted to a 3-5-2 formation with a surprising Double False Nine position upfront with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva playing as Strikers and a double pivot of Rodri and Gundogan in midfield. Gabriel Jesus played as a left midfielder until Raheem Sterling came on for Bernardo Silva. The reason Gabriel Jesus was played as an LM was to mark Dani Carvajal right from the beginning so that Madrid would have to build from the Center or through Ferland Mendy thus restricting Madrid’s attack from the right.

 

Manchester City was often dispossessed and was forced to play long balls by Ederson to get upfield and that was something Guardiola’s side does not do very often.City again started the second half just like they did in the first half, but this time they had De Bruyne or Jesus drop deep to receive the ball to help with the build-up play. Manchester City had tried attacking from the left side all night something Madrid did nothing to counter thus losing the initiative.

Credits: WhoScored.com

In the 73^rd Minute Raheem Sterling came on for Bernardo Silva and this meant that Jesus returned to the role of Striker and De Bruyne went back to play as an Attacking Midfielder. This allowed De Bruyne to play more effectively as a playmaker because shortly after Sterling’s introduction City levelled through Jesus’s excellent timed header.

 

Dani Carvajal was left to face Sterling alone in 1v1 situations and was unable to contain the speedy winger. Shortly after City levelled , Carvajal brought Sterling down in the box after being outpaced by the English man thus conceding a Penalty. Surprisingly, the City Captain for the night Kevin De Bruyne stepped up to take this one and considering City missed last 5 of their 7 penalties it made sense for him to take it. City scored from the spot and were now playing with even more grit and determination. Things got even worse for Madrid on the night when Madrid Captain Sergio Ramos was sent off for bringing Jesus down just outside the penalty area. City tried to take the advantage , but Madrid held on and City were forced to leave with the scoreline reading 2-1 in their favour.

With the return leg in three weeks time , no side will rest on this result and with Real Madrid going to the Etihad without Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy through suspensions it will be a mountain for them to climb. Manchester City on the other hand will have to sort out their defensive issues as they are most likely to play without Laporte, but could welcome Leroy Sane for the clash at home.

So what do you guys think about the second leg? Will Real Madrid come from behind to progress to the quarter-finals or will Manchester City hold on to their lead and make it through? That’s all from me today folks, I will get back to you after the second leg. Please feel free to share this with your friends and stay tuned for the next blog.