Real Madrid is beating Manchester City at half-time this Wednesday. Fede Valverde put the game in the way with a hat trick in the first half. In the first goal, Courtois sent a very long ball behind O’Reilly that Valverde controlled perfectly. The Uruguayan stood before Donnarumma who came out to save the ball and, believing he was outside the area, he did not catch the ball with his hands and Valverde scored into an empty goal. A few minutes later, the Uruguayan himself received a ball from Brahim inside the area and with a crossed left foot shot beat the Italian goalkeeper. Near the end of the first act, Brahim made a spoon pass into the area against the citizen defense, Valverde shook off his defender with a hat and finished to score the third goal.
Both teams meet again for the fifth consecutive year in a direct knockout of the Champions League. Last year it was the whites who passed the previous playoff round that gave access to the round of 16. This year they also faced each other in the league, also at the Bernabéu, and Guardiola’s men won 1-2 after overturning Rodrygo’s initial goal. In that match it was Xabi Alonso who was in charge of the Madrid bench. Furthermore, as happened in that confrontation, Mbappé is not available for Álvaro Arbeloa, a loss that is added to those of Bellingham and Rodrygo.
Rest!
Once again, Madrid and the Champions League have come together at the Bernabéu to make the unimaginable a reality. In an even, electric match with chances for both teams, the whites go to the locker room with a three-goal advantage.
VALVERDE’S THIRD!
Everything works out for the Uruguayan today. Incredible control in the area, hat included, to finish and beat Donnarumma for the third time. Korean the name of its captain the Bernabéu.
Daniel Arribas
Madrid is coming up
The whites improve with the ball, the result of trust. City has stopped stepping into Courtois’s area. The Bernabéu, lit.
ANOTHER GOAL FROM VALVERDE!
What a beautiful definition from the Uruguayan with his left leg. He crossed the ball after a great assist from Vinicius and Donnarumma could do nothing.
¡GOOOL THE FEDE VALVERDE!
The Uruguayan puts the whites ahead after controlling a long serve from Courtois and evading Donnarumma. It was a strange move by the Italian goalkeeper, who, being able to catch it inside the area, raised his arm and left the white midfielder free to score the first of the game.
Daniel Arribas
The match is beautiful!
City threatens, Madrid responds. Vinicius drives, Doku replies on the opposite side. Great game so far in Chamartín.
Daniel Arribas
O’Reilly had it
Good opportunity now for the English after the incorporation of their left back. He touched the ball to Rüdiger and Courtois deflected it with his fingertips.
Daniel Arribas
The first for Madrid!
Brahim finished somewhat forcedly with his left foot, Donnarumma rejected the ball for a corner. The Bernabéu is lively.
Daniel Arribas
Manchester City warns
The ‘citizen’ team is gradually approaching Courtois’ area. Doku threatened now from the left. His center went long.
Daniel Arribas
Thiago Pitarch of axis
Real Madrid starts with possession of the ball. The white youth player, very active in these first minutes.
The game starts!
Manchester City puts the ball into play and whistles for the white fiefdom.
Daniel Arribas
Less and less to go!
The players of both teams retire to the locker room after warming up. This is about to start at the Santiago Bernabéu, which has a great night atmosphere.
Daniel Arribas
Manchester City lineup!
Guardiola goes out to the Santiago Bernabéu with the following eleven: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo, Savinho, Semenyo, Doku and Haaland.
Daniel Arribas
Thiago Pitarch, starter at Real Madrid
This is the eleven chosen by Álvaro Arbeloa: Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Arda Guler, Brahim and Vinicius.
This is how both teams arrive
Welcome to the Santiago Bernabéu!
There are now less than two hours until Real Madrid and Manchester City face each other on the Chamartín pitch for the fifth consecutive season. This Wednesday’s first leg will be only half the way. The return leg will remain in England to decide who advances to the quarterfinals.
