Man City

Our matches after the games against Real Madrid are certainly kinder than the previous round, when we faced Liverpool on each occasion! The opportunity for ...

- This will be the seventh meeting between Manchester City and Real Madrid in European competition, with each of the previous six coming in the UEFA Champions League since 2012-13. The third-ranked player for expected assists this season, meanwhile, is Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior . - After conceding in seven straight Champions League matches between last season’s final and this season’s final group stage match, Manchester City have since kept a clean sheet in four successive matches; the last team to keep a clean sheet in five knockout stage matches in a row in the competition were Juventus in 2016-17. - City managerPep Guardiolahas eliminated Real Madrid from the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League on two previous occasions, beating them 3-1 on aggregate in the 2010-11 semi-finals with Barcelona and 4-2 on aggregate in the 2019-20 Round of 16 with Manchester City. Guardiolais looking to become the first manager to eliminate Real Madrid from the UEFA Champions League on three occasions. - RaheemSterlinghas netted 24 goals for Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. If he scores in this game, he would overtake Paul Scholes (24) and trail only Wayne Rooney (30) for the most goals scored by an English player for an English team in the competition’s history. - Real Madrid haven’t won any of their previous three trips to face Manchester City in European competition (D2 L1), with the most recent two also coming in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League – 0-0 in the 2015-16 semi-final first leg and 1-2 in the 2019-20 Round of 16 second leg.

It was a wild Champions League semifinal, but Man City leave Etihad Stadium with the upper hand over Real Madrid. Here are the key talking points.

He was embarrassed by Vinicius Junior as he scored to make it 3-2 and every time Real Madrid flung the ball out to their left, the Etihad held its breath. The one thing City couldn't control was Benzema's brilliance. While other world class midfielders like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos took a while to find their rhythm, De Bruyne scored after just 90 seconds and set up Jesus 10 minutes later. City led 2-0 after just 11 minutes thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus before Karim Benzema pulled one back before halftime. Even after Foden had scored City's third, Aymeric passed up another clear opportunity from Oleks Zinchenko's cross. Here are three thoughts on the game.

Chef Aaron Johnson, 30, of Stockport, threw the pastry and drink in a 'moment of madness'

Johnson had been a ‘lifelong supporter’, going to his first game at just two weeks old and holding a season ticket from aged five, the court heard. He was handed a £40 fine and banned from going to any football matches in the UK and abroad for three years. He also threw a cup containing liquid and it was ‘possible’ he threw other items, Ms Rogers said. Eileen Rogers, prosecuting, told the court that after allowing supporters back into stadiums following the coronavirus pandemic at the end of 2021, there had been a ‘dramatic increase’ in violent disorder and anti-social behaviour during games. Aaron Johnson, 30, claimed he had been hit by the pastry and hurled it back in a 'moment of madness' during the Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon. He has since lost his job as a chef due to his outburst.

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Previously, the sides met in the Champions League group stages in 2012-13 with the match in Manchester ending in a 1-1 draw while Madrid claimed a 3-2 victory in Spain. City will be keen to take an advantage to the return leg in Madrid on May 4 as Pep Guardiola chases his first Champions League success with the club having claimed three league titles, four League Cups and one FA Cup during his six years in charge. It promises to be an intriguing match-up between the current top flight leaders in England and Spain, with Man City a point ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League while Madrid are 15 points clear in La Liga and on course for the earliest title win in 32 years.

Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-3 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final but Karim Benzema left everything to play for.

Mahrez had to pass to Foden only to take on the shot – a bad decision – while Foden dragged wide of the far post after a fluent counterattack. In the heat of the moment it was possible to forget that City had actually beaten Spain’s champions-elect, outplaying them for long spells. Laporte and Mahrez missed big chances either side of Silva’s goal but the last word would go to Benzema. The final act had Dias stretching at Real’s far post to meet a cross only to fail to stretch enough. From the rebound Foden shot and Carvajal blocked. Vinícius flickered, Alaba rose to flash a header wide and then Benzema scored with a controlled volley from Ferland Mendy’s cross. Mahrez cut into a seam of space, jinking away from Luka Modric before picking out the late-breaking run of Kevin De Bruyne, who threw himself into the header with Carvajal – and then Thibaut Courtois – flailing. The 13-times winners refuse to lose in this competition. With the referee, Istvan Kovacs, playing a smart advantage, the City midfielder arrowed a shot into the near, top corner and Guardiola could lose himself in delight. This is what City’s quest for a first Champions League does to the man who wants it, maybe needs it, more than anyone else. Guardiola slumped down on to a drinks cooler. He reacted by chasing after the fourth official to earn a yellow card.

City and Real Madrid produced a Champions League semi-final few who witnessed it will ever forget.

It was a wild Champions League semifinal, but Man City leave Etihad Stadium with the upper hand over Real Madrid. Here are the key talking points.

The one thing City couldn't control was Benzema's brilliance. The 37-year-old started well -- it was his cross which set up Foden's header -- but struggled more as the game wore on. While other world-class midfielders like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos took a while to find their rhythm, De Bruyne scored after just 90 seconds and set up Jesus 10 minutes later. Even after Foden had scored City's third, Aymeric passed up another clear opportunity from Oleksandr Zinchenko's cross. Phil Foden made it 3-1 after 53 minutes, only for Vinicius Junior to hit back again two minutes later. Here are three thoughts on the game.

Man City 4-3 Real Madrid: Pep Guardiola's side were clawed back by Karim Benzema's brilliance in a puslating first leg full of spectacular individual ...

He chipped the ball into the roof of the net, the effort almost going beyond a Panenka because of its audacious height. Both of the next goals came from errors and mistakes, but again with the individual class to really maximise the openings. Vinicius offered more of the individual ingenuity that really elevated this match as a classic, with an audacious dummy nutmeg that set him up for the most surging finish. Fernandinho, on as a makeshift right back, first offered a passage of play that has elevated the greatest right backs. There was a classic push and pull, cat and mouse, symbolised by the chain of events that followed. It was as if the tone of the tie had changed. This was yet another knockout tie when a Pep Guardiola team should have been out of sight, and yet another when Real Madrid should have been knocked out of the competition. City’s opening half-hour was up there with one of the most complete spells of football ever seen from a Guardiola team. As is the case with so much great drama, it offered so much of what we’d seen before, but in wondrous new ways. That didn’t take away from City, who took full advantage of the extra space to express themselves. It had so many dominant stars, from Riyad Mahrez to Kevin De Bruyne, but there was still one that went beyond everyone. This was a Champions League classic that produced the most quintessential modern storyline.

Man City 4-3 Real Madrid: De Bruyne started the scoring barely a minute after kick-off and the goals didn't stop flowing all game long.

Some fantastic link play as ever and then the coolest man in Manchester to dink a penalty into the roof of the net and leave the tie finely poised. After a first half when he was strangely hesitant in the final third, he absolutely ripped City apart with one solo run and composed finish for 3-2. Totally culpable on the third and failed to get a block in on the fourth. Always the key in moving the ball through the thirds and evading City’s tenacity in the middle. Such a good first touch and a really dangerous outlet for City in the first half. As great as ever in the short spells where Real had control and possession of course, but those moments were infrequent. A few sticky moments with his kick-outs and was a total statue for the fourth. Subbed at the break, presumably with a recurrence of the injury which had left him a doubt to start. In truth he was probably only a few inches away from a man of the match shout as he struck the post and rolled another just wide - his build-up play and being a threat on the run was top-draw. A strange game where he alternately controlled proceedings and dominated the ball, then was overrun and nowhere to be found in Real’s spells on top. Hit and miss defensively as he made some good interceptions but lost Benzema for a moment for the first-half goal. Brilliant ball in for the early opener but spurned a great chance for a third which left his manager furious.

Real Madrid lost 4-3 to Manchester City in an enthralling Champions League semi-final first leg at the Etihad on Tuesday.

Now we have to go to the Bernabéu and we will need our fans like never and we are going to do something magical, which is win." We have a great dream to play the second game in the Bernabeu. We hope we can have chance to go to the final. We were able to react, we did well to keep the game open.

Both clubs' tendencies were on full display, leading to a seven-goal thriller and an open-ended set of potential outcomes entering the second leg.

We performed really well the first one, you have to do it the second one. Pep Guardiola had reacted with fury to the Mahrez miss, largely because he went for goal when he could have squared it to Foden who would have had an open goal, but that response showed that he knew the game was not won at 2–0, no matter how dominant City seemed. It missed opportunity after opportunity, although it won the shot count only 16–11 and the shots-on-target count only 6–5. Not for the first time in a big game in Guardiola’s career, it felt like an opportunity had been wasted; both league games against Liverpool this season went the same way. When it took on a more natural shape, City looked like much the better side. And that it lost only 4–3 to a Manchester City that threatened at times to outclass it said much for its remarkable stickability. Madrid for long spells simply couldn’t get out, while every turnover threatened to become an opportunity for the hosts.

Manchester City and Real Madrid faced off in the Champions League and both have competed for Erling Haaland's signature.

However good Haaland is, would he back himself to immediately oust a man who seems to sum up this modern Real side that simply refuse to be beaten? If there is a flaw to this beautiful team that Pep Guardiola has built, it is the lack of a clinical finisher that can be so pivotal to winning the biggest trophies. Dortmund sensation Haaland has the power to choose where he plays his football next season, so where does he fancy?

The Premier League champions threatened to end the tie only for Karim Benzema to inspire life in the Spaniards and leave the semi-final delicately poised.

He is now going to have to do what Madrid have made a hallmark of their own. That was the story of Chelsea 2012, Barcelona 2015, Monaco 2017, Liverpool 2018 and Tottenham 2019. The touch on the run to perplex Nacho for that shot off the post was sublime, and was in its own way as wondrous as Vinicius’ dummy nutmeg on Fernandinho. And yet it was still one of a few moments that culminated in Mahrez being completely wasteful. Madrid meanwhile have the Bernabeu. This is the great frustration for him, that feeds into so many moments of “overthinking”. City have the lead. That is why there is that ominous feeling over a game where - let’s remember - City scored four goals against Real Madrid and still won. They were career exhibitions, exactly how he would want the game to be played. It is precisely the sort of situation that will be playing on Guardiola’s mind, and could condition him into another “tactical episode”. The message was to sharpen up, as he insisted on again leading by example. City never again had the game under the same command. That wasn’t just a statement of demonstrable fact, though.

IAN LADYMAN AT THE ETIHAD: It seems strange that Guardiola would even think about leaving. The first 20 minutes against Real provided him with enough ...

It feels as though this team – already free of the shadow of players like Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva – is nearer the start of its road than to the end. The wheel turns and periods of excellence – or otherwise – come to an end. As the minutes ticked by, so the City opportunities came and went. It was only due to Real’s cussedness and indeed City’s rather ragged finishing that the margin of defeat was not greater. City terrified and terrorised Real for the first half an hour. They inflicted upon Real possibly the most satisfying one-goal defeat of this great institution’s very existence.

Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were on target for Pep Guardiola's men, who should have scored many more. But Karim Benzema's ...

Benzema was the coolest man in the stadium as he chipped the spot-kick down the middle to leave the tie on a knife-edge headed back to the Spanish capital. Again City failed to put the tie to bed as Mahrez was inches away from finding the far corner from the narrowest of angles. But his decision to break from the mould of the past two seasons and play Jesus as a central striker was inspired as the Brazilian ran the Real defence ragged.

Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all interested in signing Villarreal defender Pau Torres. Transfer Talk has the latest.

Tammy Abraham has reiterated his desire to remain at AS Roma beyond this season, according to Calciomercato. The 24-year-old striker joined the club from Chelsea last summer, and he has since become an important part of Jose Mourinho's side, having contributed to 19 goals in 33 games in Serie A. It is reported that Arsenal have made him a priority target, but persuading Abraham to make the switch from Italy could be difficult. Jules Kounde wants to leave Sevilla at the end of the season, according to Ekrem Konur. The LaLiga club will be looking for a fee in the region of €70m if they are to part ways with the 23-year-old defender, with a move to Chelsea having been repeatedly linked. A release clause in his contract worth around €60 million could see the three Premier League sides begin to advance negotiations, but it is unlikely to be without challenges from Spain, with Barcelona also in the mix.

Mr Johnson, 30, is a lifelong follower of Manchester City, but has been a handed a three-year banning order by Manchester Magistrates' Court following the ...

He can’t believe he put himself in this position and is disgusted with his actions. He was handed a £40 fine and banned from going to any football matches in the UK and abroad for three years. Tensions were high and the police were vigilant.” Eileen Rogers, prosecuting, told the court that after allowing supporters back into stadiums following the coronavirus pandemic at the end of 2021, there had been a ‘dramatic increase’ in violent disorder and anti-social behaviour during games. It is unknown if anyone was hurt by the items, but he has since lost his job as a chef due to the incident. Aaron Johnson, 30, claimed he had been hit by the pastry during City’s 0-0 draw with Sporting at the Etihad Stadium on March 9.

Liverpool will face one of Manchester City or Real Madrid in the Champions League final should the Reds get the better of Villarreal.

But the home side were back in front just eight minutes after the restart as Phil Foden headed home after being picked out by Fernandinho. Liverpool will face the winner of this tie, should Jurgen Klopp's men progress past Villarreal. City took the lead against Madrid inside two minutes courtesy of a Kevin de Bruyne header, doubling their lead in the 11th minute after quick-thinking inside the area from Gabriel Jesus saw the Brazilian engineer space to shoot and score past Thibaut Courtois.

Spain's champions-elect were made to look like chumps. The all-time kings of Europe reduced to the role of fools. Real Madrid endured a chastening night at ...

When I became a footballer and a manager, when you go to the Bernabeu there is no option but to win. Against City their tactic appeared to be no more than riding the storm and seizing their own moments. City had done well early on to force him to do much of his work in deep areas to keep him away from the danger zone. It was that kind of night, with Real helpless to stop City when they were in full flow. Real Madrid endured a chastening night at the hands of Manchester City, when their very place in history was rocked to the core. I want to convince my players that we won the game and lift their heads up.”

“Benzema's penalty was entirely in keeping with a sumptuous match in Manchester, a seven-goal thriller to stand alongside United's 4-3 defeat of Real at Old ...

"I think Man City will be delighted with the win but fully disappointed they didn't win by more. It is simply a case of purring over the details, the beauty of those moments.” And in the end this was a tale of moments – so, so many moments – divvied up between Foden’s early brilliance and the craft of Benzema, the will of those regal meringues. There is no sensible way to read a game like this, or to predict what might come in the second leg. “Yet City scored four and could do the same again in the second leg. “Benzema’s penalty was entirely in keeping with a sumptuous match in Manchester, a seven-goal thriller to stand alongside United’s 4-3 defeat of Real at Old Trafford in 2003.

The Real Madrid striker had missed his last two penalties and four this calendar year but showed no signs of nerves stepping up in a Champions League ...

“I am so proud, I’m so incredibly happy of the way we performed in front of the world against a team that have an experience with that. We won, we are going to rest, then play Leeds and travel to Spain next week. They are as stone cold as Karim Benzema’s penalty to leave Real Madrid bruised and battered but somehow only one goal behind in this semi-final. And it’s as though this group of Real Madrid players have channelled that energy into the Champions League this season. Even so, the France international laughed off the suggestion his poor recent record might have forced him to reconsider his responsibilities. “The sheer arrogance of it but also the belief and the ability to do that.

De Bruyne opened the scoring after just 94 seconds of this enthralling tie – the fastest ever goal in a semi-final of the Champions League. It also continued ...

The Brazilian – who will lead the club at the end of the season – showed both his quality and vulnerability in his performance. The second, is that he is aiming to become the first coach to reach five Champions League finals. Benzema is now the oldest player scorer 40 goals in one campaign for a club in Europe’s top for leagues since Ferenc Puskas, comfortably surpassing his previous season best tally of 32. Despite not being favourites in this tie, Ancelotti’s side remain alive for the second leg in Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti is within touching distance of breaking two incredible coaching records this season. Here are five talking points from an exhilarating evening at the Etihad.

Real Madrid's talisman Karim Benzema has missed three out of his last four penalties but somehow held his nerve to dink it down the middle of the goal past ...

"We need this [some magic] as we are going to play against a really strong team. The first 20 minutes were really difficult but slowly we were able to come back into the game to keep qualification open. We concede two goals early in the game and then we are able to react really well. He has that kind of personality to take a penalty that is so spectacular. Benzema sent a warning to Man City ahead of the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu, adding: "A defeat is never good," he told Spanish TV immediately after the match. Benzema said after the match: “I always have it in my head that if you don’t take a penalty, you will never miss a penalty.

The Manchester City boss offered his apologies to the referee after his side's entertaining victory over Spanish giants Real Madrid in the Champions League ...

He said: “Regardless of the result, if it was 2-0 or 3-0 we would still have to go to Bernabéu and play well. To make matters worse, City were made to pay for the decision. For me, I was there and thought it was for our side but they decide the opposite."

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Madrid will have to be better. Carlo Ancelotti's opening gambit was a loose 4-3-3 more suitable for playing Celta Vigo than Manchester ...

The Italian coach confirmed Casemiro will be fine for the second leg which is a huge boost. Benzema was also the embodiment of calm in the post-match interview. The Madrid support will demand attack but Eder Militao and company cannot be left as exposed. It will not be easy. He had missed his last two penalties but pinged a Panenka to keep Real Madrid in the tie. He has now scored 41 goals in 41 games this season.

Manchester City will head into the second leg at the Bernabeu in better shape as long as they get through Saturday's trip to Leeds unscathed.

Guardiola and his staff had just two days to come up with a plan for the game and drill it into the players - insufficient, especially as Carlo Ancelotti had the benefit of six days since Real’s previous game at Osasuna. De Bruyne may have to go again at Leeds, but is likely to share the burden of midfield inspiration with Bernardo Silva - and he does have four full days to get his strength back. Even if Walker does not prove to be fit, Zinchenko has shown he is not just reliable but is also a sharp and positive asset in his current frame of mind.

Man City are a point ahead at the top of the Premier League table; Liverpool will play in the FA Cup final ahead of their rearranged trip to Southampton on ...

Wolves fixtures Tottenham fixtures Southampton fixtures Newcastle fixtures Liverpool fixtures Leeds fixtures

Manchester City's league fixture against Wolves at Molineux will be played on May 11, while Liverpool's trip to St Mary's to face Southampton will take on ...

The Reds could be faced with the prospect of winning or losing the quadruple - or the treble or the double - in the space of a fortnight. We want to be in every match... Some critics believe Liverpool and City should be playing their last few league fixtures at the same time out of fairness. Let us know in the comments below! That fixture, which was postponed due to Liverpool's involvement in the FA Cup final on May 14, will take place at St Mary's on Tuesday, May 17. Pep Guardiola's side are one point clear of Liverpool in second with five games remaining.

As the race for the Premier League title reaches its final stretch Liverpool and Manchester City now have confirmed dates for two rearranged games.

Liverpool will now play two games a week until the end of the season. The Reds are just a point behind table-toppers Manchester City with five games remaining each. But before the final is even played, Manchester City will travel to the midlands to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday May 11, in what will be an 8.15pm kick off, also shown live on Sky Sports.

Manchester City claimed the initiative in their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid with a 4-3 victory in the first leg on Tuesday.

With just a point between them and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, they have little margin for error as they travel to Leeds on Saturday. The England right-back has missed four matches since being forced off with an ankle problem in that bruising quarter-final second leg against Atletico a fortnight ago. Pep Guardiola’s side were exhilarating in attack and carved out plenty of chances aside from the four they scored.

Fernandinho hopes Manchester City can “hurt” Real Madrid when their Champions League semi-final is played to a conclusion next week.

It was the Frenchman’s 41st goal from as many appearances for Real this season. We will try to play as we are playing so far. “They are a dangerous team.

Premier League - Ticket Information. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City. Wednesday 11 May 2022. Kick off: 20:15 (UK).

It is important to note that tickets cannot be returned within 7-days of the match in line with our refund policy. If any supporter has forgotten their password, they will have the option to request a new password which will be sent to their registered email address. At the point where the adult qualifies, they can also purchase one junior ticket regardless of the junior’s ticket point status. Within the basket, you can then change the owner of the second ticket to your personal assistant. The Club has received an allocation of 14 wheelchair bays and a limited allocation of tickets for ambulant disabled supporters. Any tickets that are not purchased on this day will be added to the wider Season Ticket holder allocation.

Manchester City claimed the initiative in their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid with a 4-3 victory in the first leg on Tuesday.

With just a point between them and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, they have little margin for error as they travel to Leeds on Saturday. The England right-back has missed four matches since being forced off with an ankle problem in that bruising quarter-final second leg against Atletico a fortnight ago. Pep Guardiola’s side were exhilarating in attack and carved out plenty of chances aside from the four they scored.

Manchester City star was one of the best performers in the 4-3 first leg win in the semi-final, but has sent a warning about the second leg in Madrid.

It is going to be so tough because Real Madrid know how to play and they have the personality to play in this competition at this stage. It is going to be a massive pleasure to be there. It is not done yet and we need to prepare ourselves as best as we can. But it is just the first game and we have another game next week. He added: “You can see from their side, their behaviour, their personality, they know how to play at this stage of the competition. You need to be focused and now it is 90 more minutes.”

A look at some of the best stats to come out of Manchester City's captivating 4-3 Champions League semi-final triumph over Real Madrid.

City 4-3 Real Madrid is the joint-highest scoring Champions League semi-final in the competition’s history. That already astonishing figure becomes all the more impressive when considering that each of De Bruyne’s last seven strikes in the Champions League have been in the knockout stages. At 93 seconds, the Belgian’s strike was the quickest that City have ever managed in our 101 Champions League matches to date.

The Blues tactician has been on the receiving end of questioning surrounding his tactical approaches since he took charge at the Etihad Stadium.

McManaman told BT Sport: "Haven't we criticised Pep for overthinking his tactics in this competition? "You can't overthink a genius, he's the best around." Steve McManaman has quashed criticism surrounding Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola's tactics claiming "you can't overthink a genius."

Manchester City claimed the initiative in their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid with a 4-3 victory in the first leg on Tuesday.

With just a point between them and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, they have little margin for error as they travel to Leeds on Saturday. The England right-back has missed four matches since being forced off with an ankle problem in that bruising quarter-final second leg against Atletico a fortnight ago. Pep Guardiola’s side were exhilarating in attack and carved out plenty of chances aside from the four they scored.

Ruben Dias says City are braced for another crucial 'final' away at Leeds on Saturday having claimed a dramatic victory in our Champions League semi-final ...

“It is the semi-final of the Champions League and obviously we could have got a bigger difference instead of 1-0. “But we know our goal and what we need to achieve it. “You can never be happy with too many goals conceded. “We go game by game. We are aware of what team are we facing, the impact they have in the Champions League and the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu. “We will now focus on the Premier League and then it will be time to focus on the second game.

Guardiola has faced criticism for previously tinkering too much in the big games but saw his Manchester City side edge out Real Madrid in a seven-goal ...

Phil Foden was in irresistible form too, producing an outrageous take down early on with Pritt-Stick control, the moment of audacious skill and subsequent cross deserving of a goal. And in last year's final against Chelsea, Guardiola was too clever for his own good again, playing without a holding midfielder, a decision that backfired as City were beaten 1-0. Having dispatched Real Madrid at the last 16 stage in 2020, Guardiola inexplicably decided to go with a back-three in the one-off quarter-final tie against Lyon, with City losing 3-1.