Real Madrid’s bravery makes Man City worry

After 90 minutes at Etihad Stadium, this morning, April 27, in the first leg semi-final Champions Leaguecoach Pep Guardiola perhaps understood the feeling of Thomas Tuchel on the other side Chelsea, or PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino. Playing an impressive match in terms of tactics, tactics and efficiency is sometimes not enough to Man City crushed Real Madrid.

Man City (right) only won against Real Madrid with a fragile 1 goal difference despite creating a number of outstanding scoring situations. afp

In round 1/8, Real Madrid just need to kick better than PSG in 15 minutes to hit 3 goals into the opponent’s net, completing a spectacular comeback. In the quarterfinals, “White Vultures” did not break their wings despite being led to 3 goals by Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu. Last night, a Man City The attack rushed to lead 3-1 and then 4-2, but still had to enter the second leg nervously.

The score of 4-3 is very fragile, and even more fragile when the opponent Real Madrid has been smooth with the comebacks.

During 6 years in power, Coach Pep Guardiola turned Man City into a true machine. The players play football methodically, scientifically as programmed. For the Spanish strategist, the ball and space are two factors Man City must hold in the palm of their hand.

Waiting for coach Pep Guardiola and his students is a difficult second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. AFP

The pitch in Guardiola’s imagination is a complex system. Man City must play standard ball only from passing, running to finishing to ensure this system operates smoothly throughout the match. Guardiola will not be pleased if a small detail goes wrong. He once called Raheem Sterling to correct on the day Man City beat Watford 6 goals without removing to win the title FA Cup 2018/2019 season.

Real Madrid of the Carlo Ancelotti Not such a perfect team. “White vultures” have completely lost to Man City in terms of tactics. The array of attacking pieces of Guardiola’s teachers and students is much more diverse and worth watching, when Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus form virtual coordination triangles, maintaining an even attack intensity. regular and persistent pressing.

16 shots (6 on target) and 4 times overtaking the lead to help Man City pushed Carlo Ancelotti’s teachers and students very close to the “door of death”. If it wasn’t for Real Madrid, it would be difficult for teams to get up when they let Man City keep scoring.

However, as Real Madrid, every moment of neglect in City’s defence risks punishment. “Man City will keep a safe distance if they meet another team, but Real Madrid play too close,” coach Guardiola admitted.

Benzema is sharp and efficient. AFP

In contrast to Man City’s diverse and complex operation, Real Madrid does not have many offensive exercises. Luka Modric’s ball coordination, Karim Benzema’s class and Vinicius’ speed are 3 pieces in the current Real Madrid picture.

But the last piece, the most important, is the bravery of the champion Champions League helped the Spanish representative still find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Benzema’s risky penalty kick “Panenka” style is a living proof of the steel spirit that has helped Real Madrid 13 times to the top of Europe. That bravery still exists even though Cristiano Ronaldo has left, and on the back of the “old man” duo Modric – Benzema is a Real Madrid full of defects and patchwork.

The second leg between Real Madrid and Man City promises to have many unexpected developments. AFP

The saying “if you die short, you live long” may not be true. If you still expose so many weaknesses and just wait for the moments of the stars, Real Madrid will pay the price. However, coach Ancelotti’s team deserves respect from the opponent.

“90 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu will be very long”, the saying of the legend Juanito on the Real Madrid side for the players Inter Milan in the 1986 UEFA Cup semi-final (Real Madrid lost 0-2 in the first leg but won 3-0 in the second leg) as a reminder for Man City and main Real Madrid when the two teams rematch 1 week later. Benzema and teammates must prove themselves as “real gold”, not melted under the blazing fire of Man City.