Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (3-4 pens.): City Player Ratings as they crash out despite De Bruyne's stunner | UEFA Champions League 2023-24
Manchester City drew 1-1 with Real Madrid after extra-time in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg clash. Los Blancos then won the game on 4-3 on penalties (4-4 agg.) to progress to the semis.
City entered this contest on the back of a great run of form. They were unbeaten in their last seven games leading into the second leg, having won four and drawn three. They made light work of Luton Town in their last Premier League game, winning 5-1 at home.
Pep Guardiola made three changes to the team that drew 3-3 away in Spain. Ederson returned to take his spot between the sticks as Stefan Ortega started on the bench. Mateo Kovacic and John Stones made way for Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker.
Manchester City made a good start to the game and dominated possession in the first half. They were able to play the ball into the box towards Erling Haaland, but the Norwegian managed just one shot on target in three attempts. Real Madrid capitalized on some sloppy defending by the hosts as they grabbed the lead after just 12 minutes.
Rodrygo found himsel unmarked in the box and fired his initial shot straight at Ederson, before tucking in the rebound to make it 1-0. Haaland hit the crossbar with a looping header later in the first half but Manchester City were unable to score as they trailed Real Madrid at the break.
The second half saw Manchester City push forward with even more conviction and determination. They kept the ball for 72% of the second period, barely allowing Real Madrid to get into a rhythm. As a result, the visitors could not create any significant chances and had just one shot in the second period which was off-target.
The hosts attempted 15 shots and five of those were on target as they continued to push forward. Kevin De Bruyne scored with a powerful effort in the 76th minute to draw the game level for Manchester City at a crucial moment. However, neither side scored after that as the game entered 30 minutes of extra time.
Both the periods of extra time were extremely tight affairs as both Manchester City and Real Madrid did now allow each other an inch of space. There was just one shot on target among the two teams across both halves of extra time as the game went to penalties.
Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Ederson were on target for City, while Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw their tame efforts saved. Real Madrid missed their first penalty via Luka Modric. However, they recovered well as Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vazquez, Nacho Fernandez and Antonio Rudiger all scored to secure a 4-3 win in the shootout.
Having said that, let's take a look at Manchester City's player ratings.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Ederson - 7.5/10
Ederson made two saves in the game and also stopped one penalty in the shootout to deny Modric. He also played four long balls.
Kyle Walker - 7/10
Walker had a decent game on the right flank as he won three duels and passed the ball with 96% accuracy.
Manuel Akanji - 7.5/10
Akanji was solid at the back as he won six duels, making four tackles and one clearance. He passed the ball with 91% accuracy, including three key passes and three long balls.
Ruben Dias - 7/10
Dias played well at the back for Manchester City as he won six duels, making two interceptions and three tackles. He also played four long balls.
Josko Gvardiol - 7.5/10
Gvardiol was solid in defence and won seven duels, making two clearances and one interception. He also passed the ball with 94% accuracy, including two key passes.
Rodri - 8/10
Rodri put in another solid performance in midfield. He passed the ball with 91% accuracy, including five key passes and 10 long balls. He also won three duels and attempted one shot on target.
Phil Foden - 7.5/10
Foden had a good game as he passed the ball with 92% accuracy, including two key passes and one long ball. He also won three duels and attempted six shots, but just one was on target.
Kevin De Bruyne - 8.5/10
De Bruyne had a great game and even scored the equalizer with a lovely strike in the second half. He passed the ball with 82% accuracy, including two key passes and three crosses. He also won four duels and attempted six shots, of which three were on target.
Bernardo Silva - 7.5/10
Silva had a great game as he passed the ball with 92% accuracy, including four key passes, three long balls and two crosses. He also won seven duels and made five tackles.
Jack Grealish - 7.5/10
Grealish had a good game on the left flank as he passed the ball with 86% accuracy. He also won three duels and attempted four shots, of which two were on target.
Erling Haaland - 6.5/10
Haaland misfired a lot in front of goal for Manchester City and managed just one shot on target in five attempts. He also won five duels and played two key passes.
Substitutes
Jeremy Doku - 7.5/10
Doku came on midway through the second half to replace Grealish. He passed the ball with 96% accuracy, including three key passes. Doku also won eight duels and completed three dribbles past players.
Julian Alvarez - 6.5/10
He replaced Haaland and put in a decent cameo.
John Stones - 6/10
He replaced Akanji and put in a decent perfomance.
Mateo Kovacic - 6/10
Kovacic came on late in the game and missed a crucial penalty in the shootout.