Champions League: Zidane Real bites the dust against City

It took an hour for the nets to shake at the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium on Wednesday evening. In favor of Real and to the delight of Madrid supporters, finally relieved.

A ball confused by defenders Rodri and Otamendi… Modric intercepts, Vinicius escapes into the opposing area and Isco, at the penalty point, concludes with a cross strike at the bottom of the right post of Ederson (1-0, 60th )

Short-lived joy at the Bernabeu, however.

In the last ten minutes, the Citizens of Guardiola scored twice in a row thanks to Gabriel Jesus (1-1, 78th), then De Bruyne on penalty (83rd), the two Mancuniens the sharpest of the evening.

Guardiola 1, Zidane 0

The first confrontation between Zidane and Guardiola as coaches therefore turned to the advantage of the Catalan.

In the first period, the Merengues certainly established their domination both technically and in terms of possession.

But without however succeeding in bringing danger to Ederson's goal. Nor prevent the Citizens from being the first to create a real opportunity.

Gabriel Jesus, well served by De Bruyne, gets rid of Varane and shoots a shot that Courtois, with a firm hand, diverts close to his right post (21st).

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The Madrid response comes after a center from Ferland Mendy from the left to Benzema, which was the 100th match in the Champions League with Real - 119 in total, counting the meetings with OL previously. But the latter sees his head uncrossed, insufficiently powerful, pushed by Ederson in the feet of Vinicius but without consequence (29th).

Laporte leaves prematurely on injury

The French striker will no longer have a real opportunity to shine the whole game.

The half hour is the time when Aymeric Laporte, the three-color international defender of City, leaves the lawn at a walk, visibly plagued by a muscular problem.

Just before the break, Casemiro saves Real on his line, after a hazardous aerial exit from Courtois and a bad reflex from Sergio Ramos on an attempt by Gabriel Jesus, (45th + 2). Which Ramos, expelled at the end of the match for having retained Jesus who was spinning towards the 1-3, will miss the return match.

Never in three confrontations against Spanish clubs - twice against Barcelona in 8th, once against Real in the semi-final, Manchester City have managed to overcome the obstacle so far. This time, the opportunity is great…