0'
In charge of this massive tie is Francois Letexier, and he will be assisted by Cyril Mugnier and Mahdi Rahmouni. Our fourth official is Pierre Gaillouste… and all four are proudly French.
0'
Manchester City: 18 S. Ortega 5 J. Stones 3 Rúben Dias 25 M. Akanji 24 J. Gvardiol 8 M. Kovačić 10 J. Grealish 20 Bernardo Silva 16 Rodri 47 P. Foden 9 E. Haaland. Replacements: 82 R. Lewis 27 Matheus Nunes 19 J. Álvarez 11 J. Doku 31 Ederson 76 Mahamadou Susoho 21 Sergio Gómez 17 K. De Bruyne 52 O. Bobb 33 S. Carson.
0'
Real Madrid: 13 A. Lunin 2 Dani Carvajal 22 A. Rüdiger 23 F. Mendy 8 T. Kroos 15 F. Valverde 18 A. Tchouaméni 12 E. Camavinga 5 J. Bellingham 7 Vinícius Júnior 11 Rodrygo. Replacements: 20 Fran García 6 Nacho 3 Éder Militão 25 Kepa 14 Joselu 21 Brahim Díaz 17 Lucas Vázquez 10 L. Modrić 24 A. Güler 19 Dani Ceballos 30 Fran González.
0'
THE BIG NEWS is that's City's Man of the Century, Kevin de Bruyne, is on the bench as he fell ill early this afternoon. It's unlikely that he will play…but needs must…
0'
The last time these teams met was in last season's Champions League semi-final… they drew 1-1 in the first leg in Madrid… but in the second leg at the Etihad City smashed Real 4-0 on the way to the party of their life… the Champions League final against Inter that saw City clinch their first Champions League title and their historic treble.
0'
Real are top of La Liga with an eight-point lead, while Man City are third in the English Premier League, but just one point behind the top two sides.
0'
Real and City are both unbeaten in their last five matches, both winning three and drawing twice.
0'
Manchester City: 18 S. Ortega
5 J. Stones
3 Rúben Dias
25 M. Akanji
24 J. Gvardiol
8 M. Kovačić
10 J. Grealish
20 Bernardo Silva
16 Rodri
47 P. Foden
9 E. Haaland. Replacements: 82
R. Lewis
27
Matheus Nunes
19
J. Álvarez
11
J. Doku
31
Ederson
76
Mahamadou Susoho
21
Sergio Gómez
17
K. De Bruyne
52
O. Bobb
33
S. Carson.
0'
Real Madrid: 13 A. Lunin
2 Dani Carvajal
22 A. Rüdiger
23 F. Mendy
8 T. Kroos
15 F. Valverde
18 A. Tchouaméni
12 E. Camavinga
5 J. Bellingham
7 Vinícius Júnior
11 Rodrygo. Replacements: 20
Fran García
6
Nacho
3
Éder Militão
25
Kepa
14
Joselu
21
Brahim Díaz
17
Lucas Vázquez
10
L. Modrić
24
A. Güler
19
Dani Ceballos
30
Fran González.
0'
Team news ahead of kick-off is as follows:
0'
Good evening, and welcome to one of the biggest nights of the footballing calendar. It's the UEFA Champions League quarter-final… live from the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid… it's the Kings of the Champions League, Real Madrid, entertaining the current holders Manchester City in the first leg of this massive quarter-final.
1'
YELLOW CARD, REAL MADRID, TCHOUAMENI. Carded for slamming into Grealish from the front as the City man went round him - Tchouameni slid through and smashed into Grealish's legs. City were on the counter-attack after Real had an early foray into the City box. Not a slow start by any means!
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway with the BIIIIIG match…it's Real Madrid against Man City… so sit back and let your nerves get SHREDDED over the next 90 minutes!
2'
UNBELIEVABLE! City line up the free-kick from 35 yards out… everyone is still faffing around… and Silva slips in quickly to slide it around the Real wall…
2'
UNBELIEVABLE! City line up the free-kick from 35 yards out… everyone is still faffing around… and Silva slips in quickly to slide it around the Real wall…
3'
GOAL, MAN CITY, SILVA! 0-1! Incredible start, as Lunin was organising his wall and everyone thought City would clip the kick in for a header… but now, Silva slams an inch-perfect curler around the wall and just inside the post which Lunin had left open! What an incredible star for City.
5'
FREE-KICK screams Bellingham near the City D, but the ref waves play on… Bellingham is back seconds later driving Real forward again, a pass into the box is cleared by a City defender but it bounces off Vinicius Jnr for a goal kick.
7'
City storm into the box, Grealish feeds Haaland who shoots from a tight angle but the keeper saves it, Grealish recovers the ball, passes to Haaland, he pushes forward in the box to a team-mate, wanting to pull the trigger… but Real sneak he ball away and counter-attack, City slide into tackle on the halfway line, a scream for the free-kick but the ref waves play on to the applause from City fans an MASSIVE jeers from the home crowd.
9'
City now passing in relaxed fashion after the opening tsunami of action. It's gone left now right… but good tackle and Real have the ball, push up but City cleanup the damage.
11'
GOAL, REAL MADRID, CAMAVINGA! 1-1; Real press up at City, Camavinga pushes across the box and pulls the trigger, it deflects of Dias and diverts to the other side of the goal, leaving Ortega flat-footed. Wonderful strike.
13'
GOAL, REAL MADRID, RODRYGO! 2-1; Astonishing… brilliant ball forward into the City half, Rodrygo out running Akanji… he gets into the box, has a short stab at the ball, it diverts slightly off Akanji's boot just enough to again leave Ortega wrong-footed - the only keeper in the world who could have saved either goals would be a keeper who had lost his contact lenses and was going the wrong way. What an incredible star to this tie!
15'
City press up into the Real box, Grealis with a cross which the keeper takes. City press again from the right and Haaland is making himself a nuisance but Real clear the danger.
18'
Shot by Vinicius Junior is gathered fairly comfortably by Ortega - helped that there was no deflection.
20'
City pushing forward but Real clear the danger.
22'
Real with the start of a storming run, but the City defence stops them in their tracks.
24'
City pressing down the left wing, Gvardiol collides with a Madrid player, it looked like a foul by City but they emerge with an attacking throw-in.
25'
Kovacic with a flip over the top of the steady Real back four for Haaland to chase onto… but it's got too much beef on it and Lunin gathers it without Haaland able to get near enough to challenge him.
27'
Real passing the ball as they move upfield, only for City to launch a counter-attack.
29'
FOUL! Foden is blown for a foul as he catches a Real defender while lunging for the ball.
31'
City regain possession and press back at Real, but the home sides defence is outstanding tonight. As most nights I'm sure. But they're giving City nothing.
33'
City go wide with Grealish… into the real box, there's a shot from Grealish but it's blocked… Real counter at warp speed, Rodrygo pulls the trigger as he's inside the box but it flashes high and wide.
34'
Bellingham goes down after a challenge, City press forward, Real counter but City sneak the ball away and win a foul. Real are complaining about the lack of free-kicks, but replays show the ref has called it well.
35'
Haaland an Rudiger tussle near the edge of the box but the City man is bossed off the ball.
36'
Bellingham bundles Dias over heavily with the ball nowhere near and the ref has another stern word with Bellingham.
37'
YELLOW CARD, MAN CITY, AKANJE. City man booked for helping Vinicius down to the grass, although that looked light for a yellow card.
38'
Real are really pressing City high at all parts of the field. This is a rough, tough but also incredibly skillful match.
39'
Foden curls a ball from distance to go over and around Lunin… but it was just too strong and was wide for a goal kick.
40'
Bellingham has stayed down after a minor clash with Akanje, catching an elbow in the face but it didn't look like he was even aware that he was there.
42'
The two sides jostle for possession near the halfway line… Real suddenly break loose and Vinicius is so fast… surges into the City box and slaps a shot on goal but it's straight into Ortega's breadbasket.
44'
City trying to play it out from the back, which is a lot more difficult against a side like Real… now they break the halfway line… Rodri looking to shoot but he fumbles and Real steal the ball, but they run it into touch and City will attack again.
45'
HALF-TIME, REAL MADRID 1-2 MAN CITY. Just astounding action and high-class football. Second half to follow once my fingers have had an ice bath!
45'
City buzzing around the box as we head to the end of the three added. minutes… Real clear and. counter… but City's defence is beautifully organised and they clear the danger… and there is the half-time whistle! WOW, WOW, WOW! What a first half.
45'
Foden now pushes forward… the ball is fed wide to Grealish who pushes in to the box and crosses for Haaland near the edge of the six-yard box, Haaland rises high but can't get a strong head to it.
46'
KICK-OFF! We're back underway with the second half… Real lead holder Man City 2-1 in the first league of a dramatic Champions League quarter-final.
47'
Mendy blown for manhandling Foden on the touchline.
49'
City storm forward, Kovacic doing good work then feeding Grealish just inside the far side of the box… Grealish thrashes a shot on goal but it's four or five feet over the crossbar.
50'
Foden is fed into the box, he cross but Real head clear… City push back up and Grealish is fouled… City have a free-kcik in front of the D and Silva is licking his lips… but the wall clear it and Real press upfield.
51'
Kovacic again driving hard at the Real box, Haaland in attendance, but Kovacic is brought down by Real and they counter, but the ball is out for a City goal kick. Haaland is muscling into things more and more. Had precious little space and little ball… but he looks like he has the hunger. You heard it here first.
53'
WIDE! Sloppy defensive work from City to gift the ball to Bellingham, he has to jiggle and jangle to find a place to shoot, but it scuttles wide of the far post. A first time shot might have had him in business.
54'
City push up and Haaland is somehow hauled to ground and City have a free-kick from 40 yards… this time it's lofted into he box and Rodri rises thigh high to head it hard but it's a few feet over the bar.
56'
Real play the ball languidly out of the box… then they turn on the burners, Vinicius Junior speeding into the box from the left and then blasting his shot over the top of Ortega and into the home crowd.
58'
City counter now, but without Real's pace… they look for possession but there are few spaces to press into as Real are so compact… and then City pass the ball directly out. Certainly looking like Real are the Boss Baby tonight.
60'
SHOT! Foden runs across the box and slaps a shot on goal, but it's straight into Lunin's breadbasket,
61'
Silva has a crack on goal that Lunin blocks, with hands stinging. Real then press up again and there's a great tackle from Akanji… Real keep pressing and passing but the eventual shot skews high and wide away from the goal.
63'
City press up, Bellingham wins the ball then gifts it back to City, who push forward and forces a corner… it's played short and worked across the box but Foden is tackled, Real try to counter but Haaland backtracks to win the ball and send City on a short-lived attack.
65'
City press up again as Real's defence starts to spread a smidge with all the up and down.
66'
AND WE HAVE A NEEEEEEW KIIIIIIINGGGGGG OF MANCHESTER!!!!!!
67'
GOAL, MAN CITY, FODEN! 2-2; City spread the ball across the edge of the box, its passed to Foden who taps it from his right foot just enough for him to turn and curl an impossibly brilliant shot into the top right corner - Lunin would have needed a step ladder and a jet pack to get to that. Astounding shot from a player having the season of his life… after having the season of his life last season!!!
69'
City suddenly looking the equal of Real now. For almost an hour they have looked like the unwashed cousins, but now ………
70'
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!! MAN CITY, GVARIDIOL… 2-3!!!!! GVARDIOL'S FIRST GOAL FOR CITY, A SENSATIONAL STRIKE ALMOST THE SAME AS FODEN'S GOAL BUT FROM THE OTHER SIDE. WHAT A MATCH THESE SIDES HAVE SERVED UP. Gvardiol's shot curved back from a foot or two outside the far post and curled in - Lunin dived like a champion and couldn't have done more, but that was goal for the ages. Or maybe I'm just caught up in the moment.
73'
Real win a corner which City clear without much sweat. Real's shape seems to have gone and in its place is City's swagger. Grealish twists and turns and wins a corner for City.
75'
City have the ball now and Real are forced to chase as they don't want a first leg deficit… especially not with the second leg being in Manchester. This is the game City like… I am sensing a man of great height and flowing, blond hair running and smiling…
77'
Bellingham runs forward onto a long ball into the box from Modric… Akanje has a little bit of a hand on him but the way Bellingham went down you're think Jackie Chan was involved.
77'
Bellingham runs forward onto a long ball into the box from Modric… Akanje has a little bit of a hand on him but the way Bellingham went down you're think Jackie Chan was involved.
78'
GOAL, REAL MADRID, VALVERDE! 3-3; You must be kidding me! Real stream forward down the left, Vinicius Junior crosses wide across the box to Valverde, who storms in and slaps it on the volley with a bit of the outside of the boot and it skids into the far corner, nothing Ortega can do about it - slapped with power and perfection - another goal you want to watch over and over again. What a feast of football has been set in front of us tonight.
80'
YELLOW CARD, REAL MADRID, CARVAJAL. Carded for providing unrequested suggestions to the referee after a disputed foul on a City player.
82'
Real press forward but Gvaridiol does well to shepherd a ball out for a goal-kick with plenty of pressure from a Real striker.
84'
Foden does well to string his way through the Real midfield, but he's caught on the back of his Achilles and goes to ground. Looks he's going to have to go off.
86'
SUBSTITUTION, MAN CITY. Foden limps off and Alvarez comes on in his place.
88'
YELLOW CARD, MAN CITY, SILVA. Silva pressing up near the right edge of the Real box, the hosts reclaim the ball and try to drive forward but Silva stops the attack in its tracks, but has to accept a yellow in exchange.
90'
Stones does well to header a cross into the box out for a goal… Modric takes the corner short and there's a crack on goal… but it flashes high and wide.
91'
City press forward and win a free-kick into the Real half… it's played short and City are passing around… Real intercept and force City back… Carvajal knocking Grealish over and City have a free-kick to clear the danger. Two minutes left of added time.
93'
City win an attacking throw… and another… then Real win the throw.
94'
Real press up and win an attacking throw… but nope, that's enough for one leg! The ref blows for full-time… and what a superb performance from the ref. He let the match flow and fire, he was quick to act when the line was overstepped but didn't indulge the grey line. Well played, sir!
95'
FULL-TIME, REAL MADRID 3-3 MAN CITY. A most astounding match, great football from both sides. Amazing the durabilty of both sides, with the lead chopping and changing. Wow, wow, WOW! We're in for a cracking second leg in Manchester next week. It's been an amazing match and a great pleasure to bring the action to you. Enjoy the rest of your sporting week… and see you next week in Manchester!
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