Real Madrid News

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reviews Phil Foden’s performance during their Champions League game at Real Madrid and says his injury is not serious.

Manchester City drew 3-3 with Real Madrid in an extraordinary game at the Bernabeu that leaves this Champions League quarter-final tie in the balance.

Long-range strikes from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol looked to have secured a dramatic win on the night for Pep Guardiola’s European champions after Madrid had scored twice in the space of two minutes to take the lead following Bernardo Silva’s early goal.

But Federico Valverde’s sumptuous volley levelled it up again to the delight of a boisterous Bernabeu. A draw was a fair result given City dominated possession while Madrid had the better of the chances. All to play for ahead of the second leg in Manchester.

How the drama played out

Kevin De Bruyne dropping to the bench due to illness was not the ideal start for City but they did make the early breakthrough after Jack Grealish was brought down in the first minute. Silva caught out Andriy Lunin with the free-kick to stun the Bernabeu.

The roof was closed on the famous old stadium in a bid to ramp up the atmosphere but it was two quickfire goals that did that. It was a remarkable response by the 14-time champions, even if City could count themselves unfortunate in how the goals came.

Eduardo Camavinga’s shot was heading for the other side of the post until it deflected off Ruben Dias to wrongfoot Stefan Ortega and the goalkeeper was deceived again moments later when Rodrygo’s shot diverted off Manuel Akanji, trickling into the empty net.

Strange things can happen in Madrid, City know that better than most after their semi-final collapse in the Spanish capital two years ago. What was more alarming was the way that Ancelotti’s side continued to trouble the Premier League champions thereafter.

Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior had numerous chances to double the lead before the first half was through, counter-attacking at will in the left channel. Jude Bellingham and Vinicius both missed good chances from that zone early in the second half too. It proved costly.

Foden’s opportunity was not so obvious but much more precise, arrowing the ball into the top corner from 20 yards out to break Madrid’s resistance. It was typical of his fantastic form of late. The outrageous goal that followed from Gvardiol was not so predictable.

Cutting inside on his supposedly weaker right foot, the Croatia defender found the far corner with Lunin helpless. All three of City’s goals came from outside of the penalty box. It was a wonderful exhibition of finishing but Madrid had an answer themselves.

Valverde snuck in at the back post and caught his shot magnificently to make it three each and leave the tie finely poised for the rematch at the Etihad Stadium next week. On this evidence, both teams will be entitled to fancy their chances of progressing.

What’s next?

Manchester City host Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday, kick-off 3pm. They then return to Spain for the second leg of their quarter-final on April 17, kick-off 8pm.

Real Madrid travel to Mallorca on Saturday in LaLiga with the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to 11 points, kick-off 5.30pm.

UEFA says this week’s Champions League quarter-final ties will go ahead as scheduled amid an alleged terror threat.

Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in north London will host the first leg of the Gunners’ last-eight tie against Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening, while Manchester City are also in action away to Real Madrid.

Madrid also hosts Atletico’s game with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes stadium is the venue for the visit of Barcelona on the same evening in Paris.

A media outlet linked to ISIS has issued a threat concerning all four of this week’s ties, and European football’s governing body UEFA has now issued a statement on the matter.

“UEFA is aware of alleged terrorist threats made towards this week’s UEFA Champions League matches and is closely liaising with the authorities at the respective venues,” the statement said.

“All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”

The Metropolitan Police say they are aware of reports of Champions League matches being targeted this week, but insist the terror threat level has not changed from its “substantial” level due to the reports, nor has the policing plan for Arsenal’s game.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, overseeing the policing of London on Tuesday, said: “The UK terrorism threat level remains at ‘substantial’ meaning an attack is likely, and we work closely with colleagues from across Counter Terrorism Policing in planning for events here in London, to take into account any relevant information that could help us to keep those attending safe.

“We’re aware of online and media reports in relation to calls to target matches across Europe and here in London.

“However, I want to reassure the public that we have a robust policing plan in place for tonight’s match and we continue to work closely alongside the club’s security team to ensure that the match passes peacefully.

“As ever, we ask the public to remain vigilant, and if they see any that doesn’t look or feel right, then report it to police or security staff.”

Arsenal say the security strategy for Tuesday night’s game remains as expected.

A club spokesperson said: “We work closely with the Metropolitan Police regarding the safety and security of all supporters and staff at Emirates Stadium for all our matches.

“Our planning for tonight’s fixture is no different and our approach, working together with the Police and UEFA, is proportionate to the current UK threat level.”

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin has said that security will be “considerably reinforced” in Paris after the threat.

“We have seen, among others, a communication from the Islamic State which is particularly aimed at stadiums,” Darmanin said.

Meanwhile, in Spain, a government minister said they had taken all necessary precautions to avoid any terror attacks.

Sky Sports News has also contacted the Home Office for comment.

Foden and Bellingham: The battle of England’s No 10s

Who should start as England’s No 10 at Euro 2024? The two leading candidates face off at the Bernabeu when Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid host Phil Foden’s Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Bellingham is Gareth Southgate’s pick in that spot right now. And with 20 goals in his first season in Madrid to his name, there is no doubt the 20-year-old is a worthy selection.

He scored his first Wembley goal for his country with the last-gasp equaliser against Belgium last month and his link-up play with Harry Kane, when the captain has been fit, has been encouraging.

In that Belgium game, Foden began on the left wing and that is his regular position for England – but there is a growing clamour for the 23-year-old to be used more centrally. That seems to be the best use of his talents, with Foden himself saying it is where he wants to play after scoring a hat-trick from the No 10 role against Aston Villa last week.

But would Southgate be prepared to drop Bellingham deeper to accommodate Foden as a No 10?

On opposite sides in Madrid, Bellingham and Foden will have the chance to showcase what they bring to the coveted role – and perhaps convince Southgate why they should be prioritised in that key playmaking position.
Peter Smith

Will Kane strike against Arsenal again?

Arsenal thought they had seen the back of Harry Kane after years of torment and frustration.

The England captain scored 14 goals in 19 games against the Gunners in Tottenham colours – only Leicester and Everton have a worse record when it comes to defending against Kane. That run against Arsenal includes goals in five out of his eight trips to the Emirates Stadium.

Now Kane returns to one of his favourite stages as a Bayern Munich player with 38 goals in his first 37 matches for his new side. An unstoppable force.

But is he coming up against an immovable object? He will line up against an Arsenal defence that has not conceded in a month, with Saliba and Gabriel fresh from keeping out Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium a few weeks ago.

What will give as Arsenal welcome back their No 1 villain to north London?
Sam Blitz

Sancho to showcase revived form?

Manchester United’s forgotten man Jadon Sancho will aim to showcase his revived form when Borussia Dortmund go to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

After being left out of Erik ten Hag’s plans since August, it was no surprise it took the 24-year-old winger some time to get going on loan at Dortmund – but he looks to be back up to speed now.

Before the international break there were goals in back-to-back games, including the opener in the last-16 second leg with PSV to help Dortmund to this stage. Since then he has sparkled in the 2-0 win at Bayern Munich, where he topped the dribbling stats, and stood out in the defeat to Stuttgart, where he created no fewer than seven chances for his team-mates.

United’s Champions League ambitions for this season have long been over – but Sancho will aim to show his parent club what they are missing this week.
Peter Smith

CL would be perfect PSG farewell for Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe was a world champion before he reached the age of 20. However, now aged 25, the Champions League continues to be the prize that alludes him.

Mbappe’s long-term future seems to lie elsewhere but the Frenchman will been keen to lead Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League trophy and cement his legacy at the club.

Rumours of a departure have resulted in a disjointed season at the Parc des Princes. Cryptic comments from head coach Luis Enrique and time on the bench has been the story of what is expected to be his final campaign with the French club.

Despite the drama, Mbappe has still enjoyed a return of 39 goals in all competitions, including six in this season’s Champions League. PSG’s quarter-final tie against Barcelona will give the French forward another opportunity to write himself into football folklore.

Barcelona will be wary of the prospect of coming up against Mbappe, who has scored four goals in just two games against them.

The Spanish champions’ 6-1 comeback in 2017 preceded Mbappe’s move to Paris, but PSG’s hopes to avenge the result will surely rest at the feet of their star forward.

Real Madrid is expected to be his next destination. Should that be the case Mbappe has the chance to endear himself to the fans before even pulling on the famous white strip.
Bitibiri

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