Real Madrid vs Manchester City Champions League match provided such a dramatic performance as Federico Valverde scored a dramatic first half hat-trick at the Santiago Bernabeu to ensure that the Spanish giant had the match well in control as it started the last-16 game. Manchester City now have it all to do in the second leg in case they want to continue their ambitions to win the Champions League following a merciless display by Real Madrid exposing them to defensive flaws in their team.

To start with, the match started on a positive note to the visitors. Manchester City began with a great attitude and displayed offensive desire within the first few minutes. Jeremy Doku was especially active at a wing and put a strain on the defence of Real Madrid and made a premature pressure on Trent Alexander-Arnold. City tried to take the game and appeared to be able to mishandle the home side.

Things however took a drastic turn in the middle of the first half.

The goal by Federico Valverde which happened in the 20 th minute was simple and devastating as Real Madrid got their opening goal. Thibaut Courtois the goalkeeper threw a long forward ball that was received by the defence of City when they were out of position. Nico Oreilly had trouble controlling the ball that was bouncing, and Valverde managed to run away. Uruguayan calmly rounded Gianluigi Donnarumma, and then made it count off a tight angle to give Madrid the lead.

The objective heated up the Bernabeu crowd and automatically increased the confidence of the hosts.

Valverde struck again only 7 minutes later. The Real captain displayed his clinical advantage in the penalty area this time receiving the ball before shooting a low accurate shot that went across Donnarumma and in the far corner. City were now two goals behind and they were having trouble keeping up with the momentum of Madrid.

Although, Valverde had not finished.

The midfielder finished his hat-trick with a moment of genius that greatly summed up the aspect that Real Madrid have in big European evenings. One such occasion has been the collection of a delicate lofted through ball, when Valverde showed one of his most remarkable delivery by raising the ball over the defender Marc Guehi in a narrow area. He then came up with an excellent volley that caught Donnarumma and the home supporters went into celebration.

Although they lacked some prolific goal poachers such as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Real Madrid could be considered as being threatening whenever an attack occurred. Their midfield was dictating the pace whilst City defence were unable to cope with quick transition.

The game may have however had a slightly different twist early in the second half.

It took approximately an hour, at which point Real Madrid was awarded a penalty due to Donnarumma tripping Vinicius Junior in the area. The City goalkeeper got a chance to redeem himself and that is what he did. Vinicius tried to finish languidly with a position but Donnarumma responded brilliantly with a diving saving to his left siding to push the ball back.

The save momentarily boosted the morale of City and created some chance of hope.

City believed that they had finally broken through to the match when a defensive error by the Madrid box was seized by Nico O’Reilly. However, once again Thibaut Courtois was able to demonstrate why he is considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world football. The Belgian responded immediately and made an impressive action to save a close-range shot to O’Reilly.

Those lost chances were totaling a frustrating night of City in Madrid.

Pep Guardiola had gone with an attacking formation in an effort of confronting Real Madrid at their own place of residence. The tactic tend to make the City vulnerable to defensive and Madrid would take the advantage of the gaps by using the midfield and going on counterattack.

Erling Haaland who normally poses the most dangerous attacking tool to the City remained largely anonymous during the game. The Norwegian striker did not find a way to get good service because the defence of Real Madrid managed to restrict him.

These statistics and the general running of the game demonstrated the domination of Real Madrid despite the injury issues. Once again the Spanish club has shown why they are one of the strongest Sunni English clubs known in the history of the champions league. Guardiola and his team should come up with one of the most notable turnarounds of his reign in order to reverse the situation and advance to the champions league.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid again demonstrated their reasons as to why they cannot be underestimated in the elite competition among the European countries. They also played a dominating game led by the brilliance of Valverde and the reliability of Courtois in the goal despite the absence of several star players.

In the case of City, now their mission is clear get organized in a short time, fix the defensive weaknesses and make an effort to generate a dramatic comeback in the second game. In the case of Real Madrid, the direction leading them to another long ride in the champions league is all too bright.

Follow the Social Media Channels :

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeroto30s/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeroto30s

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeroto30s

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zeroto30s