Manchester City held Real Madrid to a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
It was a boring game for the neutrals as both the teams sat back and defended on most occasions. As the game progressed, Real Madrid had their chances to score an away goal but was denied by the crossbar and Joe Hart. Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence hurt Los Blancos badly as they will try to turn the tables around at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg.
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Let us take a look at how the players performed.
Manchester City
Joe Hart- 8.5
Easily the best player on the pitch. He was the one who stood between a stalemate and Real Madrid scoring 2 away goals. His heroics made sure that Manchester City are still in contention to reach their first Champions League finals.
Bacary Sagna- 5
The Frenchman did a fantastic job in defence but while going forward, he didn’t make much of an impact.
Vincent Kompany- 6.5
The Belgian defender was at his best as he made sure that Real Madrid didn't pose any threat of scoring throughout the match. He was very good with his interceptions and blocks.
Nicholas Otamendi- 5
Looked vulnerable at the back against Gareth Bale’s pace but was well backed up by his skipper. He was caught diving on occasions.
Gael Clichy- 5
The former Arsenal man had a decent game but struggled to keep Gareth Bale at bay as he was unable to cope up with the Welshman’s pace.
Fernandinho- 6.5
Fernandinho had a fantastic game in the absence of Yaya Toure as he made sure that he along with Fernando Reyes kept Madrid’s attack from entering their box. It was evident by the fact that Madrid failed to have a single successful pass inside their box.
Fernando Reyes- 6
Along with Fernandinho, Reyes kept the Madrid attack at bay and anchored Manchester City’s attack.He initiated several attacks from the back for Manchester City.
Jesus Navas- 5
The Spaniard looked promising on occasions but failed to convert them. He also helped Sagna in the defence but on the attacking front, he didn't have much to offer.
Kevin du Bruyne- 8.5
The Belgian International was City’s best outfield player as he kept on testing the Real Madrid defence in the absence of David Silva. His free kick in the 90th minute was the only shot from a City player that tested Keylor Navas.
David Silva- 5
Silva injured his hamstring and was taken off in the first half after which City seemed to lack a playmaker in spite of de Bruyne’s heroics.
Sergio Aguero- 3.5
A lot of hopes were on the shoulders of Aguero but the Argentine failed miserably as the Real Madrid’s defensive duo of Sergio Ramos and Pepe kept him quiet throughout the 90 minutes.
Substitutes:
Iheanacho- 5.5
The Nigerian youngster looked threatening on occasions and tried to link up with Aguero but his inexperience showed up at times.
Raheem Sterling- 4
The former Liverpool star offered nothing since he came on to the pitch for Jesus Navas and also missed a golden chance to score thanks to a poor touch that helped Pepe to clear the ball.
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas- 6
The Costa Rican international was rarely tested and had nothing to do for the majority of the match. But did well to stop Kevin du Bruyne’s late free kick from going in.
Dani Carvajal- 5.5
He had a decent game as he linked up with Gareth Bale well and almost grabbed an assist when his cross found Jese, who headed against the crossbar.
Sergio Ramos- 6.5
He was solid at the back as he made sure that he kept Sergio Aguero quiet throughout the 90 minutes along with Pepe.
Pepe- 8
The Portuguese defender was booked early on for a rough tackle on du Bruyne but was at the top of his game throughout the 90 minutes. He almost got his name on the scoresheet but his shot was saved by Joe Hart late in the game.
Marcelo- 6
Marcelo had a below-par match by his standards as most of his passes forward were unsuccessful. He managed to cope up with the pace of Jesus Navas and kept him at bay with ease.
Casemiro- 6
Yet again the Brazilian international showed why he could be the defensive midfielder Madrid were looking for all these years. A disciplined show from the youngster who denied City from going forward and initiated the attack for Real Madrid.
Luka Modric- 8
Modric stole the show against Manchester City’s midfield duo fo Fernando and Fernandinho as his inch-perfect passes looked threatening. With Kroos finding it difficult against the City duo of Fernando and Fernandinho, Modric made sure that his team didn’t lack creativity in the midfield.
Toni Kroos- 5
The German international was kept quiet by Fernando Reyes and Fernandinho throughout the match.
Gareth Bale- 7
Just like du Bruyne for City, Bale looked too good to handle for the City defenders as they were finding it tough to cope up with his pace. He badly missed Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema to support him up front.
Lucas Vasquez- 4
The youngster was good defensively but on the attacking front, he failed to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo. Often got bullied by the Manchester City defenders.
Karim Benzema- 4
The French international was substituted at the half-time due to an injury. In the first half, he didn’t have much to offer for his team.
Substitutes:
Jese- 5
He was unlucky not to score when his looping header hit the crossbar. Overall, he had a decent game as he linked up well with the midfield.
Isco- N/A
Isco got very little time to make an impact as he came late in the game.
