Manchester City beat Atlético Madrid in quarter-final first leg – De Bruyne scores, Joker Foden stabs

Manchester City took control of the game from the start and had more than 70 percent possession of the ball in the early stages. On the other hand, Atlético defended very compactly and didn’t allow much out of the game. The first notable chances were a blocked shot by Kevin de Bruyne in the box and a header to the left of the goal by Aymeric Laporte from a corner (12′).

Overall, the Citizens found it difficult to create good scoring opportunities, so they managed with long-range shots and high crosses in the sixteen. However, Ilkay Gündogan and Bernardo Silva had no chance of starting anything with these balls against the Colchoneros’ significantly larger central defenders.

The visitors then drew attention for the first time after a rare mistake by Joao Cancelo in the first half when Renan Lodi had the chance of a quick counter-attack, but his pass in the middle found no takers (24′). A meager first half ended without further highlights.

After the change of sides, the hosts came out of the dressing room with significantly more momentum and secured an early goal in the sixteen. Gündogan found a pass from De Bruyne on the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected just wide of the goal (47′).

A little later, after a corner by the Citizens, the only noteworthy offensive action by the guests came in the second round. In the end, Marcos Llorente got the ball in the right half of the box and chipped the ball towards the far post, but Ederson was there in the five and intercepted the ball (51′).

At the other end, the hosts had the most dangerous chance through De Bruyne. Jan Oblak first parried the Belgian’s free kick with his body before finally kicking the ball out of the danger zone (55′).

The home side didn’t get much out of the game at first, also because Atlético were compact again as usual. After a Riyad Mahrez corner, Laporte headed the ball from the six-yard box and just shot over the opponent’s box (63′).

But then there was salvation. In the 70th minute, Phil Foden, who had come on as a substitute a few seconds earlier, found a gap in the visitors’ defensive network with a fine pass and thus De Bruyne, who completed the ball into the far corner from a tight angle. The only goal of the evening.

Comments on the game:

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): “The first half was tight, in the second half we had a few chances and it was good that we took one of them. I ran through and Phil Foden served me perfectly. I had to stay calm and luckily I managed that. We have to stay calm in the second leg too. 1-0 is 1-0. I expect a similar game in Madrid. If the game gets tight, they have to attack a little more.”

Pep Guardiola (Manchester City manager): “We played against an incredible top team that is difficult to beat but the result is good. We had chances to score a second and third goal. The lads played well but we know that Gabriel and Phil have a special energy and Jack has the quality to keep the ball. The manager was very clever today.”

Diego Simeone (Atlético Madrid manager): “A good performance against an exceptional team that manages to bring together a lot of world-class footballers into one great unit. We wanted to defend well, close the gaps and attack them with counterattacks. Just when it seemed like we were going to play our best create chances, they scored a goal.”

Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid): “We all knew it was going to be a difficult task. We wanted to get a good result. We lost but it’s still about 1-0 down. We defended very well throughout the game, with the only exception to the goal. City play to their strength in possession but we kept our heads level all night, we made the spaces tight. I don’t think it was their substitutions in particular that changed the game – just that one one moment.”

The tweet about the game

That was noticeable: expectations completely fulfilled

Both teams gave their fans exactly what was expected in advance. The Skyblues took control of the game for over 90 minutes, let the ball run and looked for playful opportunities. On the other side stood the usual concrete Atlético, who fought back with physical toughness in the tried and tested Simeone style. A similar picture should emerge in the second leg.

The stats: 7

The assist today for the 1-0 winner was Phil Foden’s seventh assist in the Champions League. Only Cesc Fabregas (ten) at the age of 21 provided more goals for an English club in the premier club.