It was also a match between the best teams. Real Madrid (Spain) and Man City (England) showed great performances in the first leg of the European Champions League semi-finals. I couldn’t choose the winner, but I directed a great game.
On the 10th (Korean time), Real recorded a 1-1 draw with Man City in the first leg of the 2022-23 European Champions League semifinal held at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain. As much as the score, both teams played a fierce game without concessions. The overall shooting number was 13-10, Real was even enough to lead, and Man City came out slightly higher in possession at 56%-43%. Even the pass success rate was similar at 87% for Real Madrid and 90% for Manchester City. Both teams’ dribble breakthrough was also the same in the 8th circuit.
The two teams will decide in the second leg of the semifinals at the Etihad Stadium, home of Man City, on the 18th. Real won the top spot 14 times on the stage of the stars, and became the team with the most wins in the competition. Continuing the challenge of winning consecutive championships following last season. Manchester City’s goal is to win the first Champions League in the club’s history. In the Premier League, he is the king of the end without an opponent, but he has not yet lifted the big ear. Losing to Chelsea in the same Premier League in the 2021 Champions League final is a painful past. Both teams took to the ground with clear goals in mind. The burning fighting spirit led to a great match.
On the other side of the quarterfinals, Italian Serie A prestigious AC Milan and Inter will face off. The two rival teams, even from the same hometown of Milan, made it to the semi-finals after a long time. Milan reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after 16 years since the 2006-07 season and Inter after 13 years since the 2009-10 season. It is the first time in 20 years since the 2002-03 season that the two teams face each other in the semifinals. The first leg of the quarterfinals will be played on the 11th.
Real Madrid came out with their favorite 4-3-3 formation without any major changes. Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, and Rodrygo were three-tops. Midfielder Luka Modric. It was a ‘world class’ set leading to Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde, and the four backs were Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal. The goalkeeper was Thibaut Courtois.
Manchester City used a 3-2-4-1 formation. Monster striker Elling Holland scrambled with a one-top. Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva applied for the second term. John Stones and Rodri coordinated the midfield, the three-backs were Manuel Akanji, Hubin Dias and Kyle Walker, and the goalkeeper was Ederson.
From the beginning of the first half, Real broke through the flanks with fantastic passing play. Man City did not stand still. In the 14th minute of the first half, Rodri fired a mid-range shot from a long distance. Courtois goalkeeper darted to the right and managed to block it. In the 16th minute of the first half, Grealish’s cross from the left flank was headed by Haaland, but headed straight to the goalkeeper. Manchester City’s defense was also busy with Real’s quick attack. There were several scenes that would have been heartbreaking if Dersson hadn’t come out early and cleared the ball with his quick thinking. In the 25th minute of the first half, Manchester City defender Dias cleared the ball with an accurate tackle in front of the goal.
It was Real Madrid that broke the tight balance. In the 36th minute of the first half, Vinicius scored the opening goal. Even in front of Manchester City’s defense in the penalty arc, he shook the net with a fantastic mid-range shot. Ederson’s goalkeeper threw himself, but to no avail. Both teams had a fierce battle of nerves in the overheated game at the end of the first half. In the second half, Real continued to be in a good mood. In the 5th minute of the second half, Benzema fired a threatening shot. In the 7th minute of the second half, goalkeeper Courtois blocked De Bruyne’s decisive shot.
Manchester City also counterattacked. Even in an unfavorable atmosphere, he finally scored the equalizer. The main character was Team Ace De Bruyne. In the 22nd minute of the second half, a mid-range shot from the penalty arc hit the left corner of the goal. It was also a wonder goal. It flew fast and accurately like a laser. The last minute of the second half was Manchester City Ederson’s stage. In the 33rd minute of the second half, Benzema’s header shot, and in the 45th minute of the second half, Real midfielder Aurelien Chuameni, who entered as a substitute, showed off a super save to block a cannonball mid-range shot. In the end, both teams finished with a 1-1 draw.안전놀이터
According to whoscored.com, a European football statistics site, Vinicius, the ‘star of the first goal’, received the highest score with an average rating of 8.08. There was only one effective shot, but he actively moved the left flank and provided a chance. Real left full-back Camavinga also received good ratings with a 7.10. He recorded 88% pass success rate and 5 tackles. His performance in the offense was great. Manchester City scored the equalizer, with Bruiner taking the team’s highest rating with 7.10. Grealish’s GPA was 7.23. Haaland didn’t show as good as expected. He also had a 6.73 GPA. Courtois, the goalkeeper of both teams, saved 5 times and Ederson saved 3 times.