Champions League: Vinicius Brings Real Madrid Outperformed Man City in Round I

– Real Madrid temporarily led 1-0 over Manchester City in the first round of the first leg of the Champions League semifinals at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Wednesday (10/5/2023) early morning WIB. The goal that put Real Madrid ahead was scored by Vinicius Junior.

Man City appeared dominant in the round before this break. They recorded dominating 70% of ball possession. However, they conceded a counter-attack which then led Vinicus Junior to shoot from outside the penalty box which brought his team ahead.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti uses a 4-3-3 formation in this home game. The Italian coach fielded the trio Rodrygo, Karim Benzema and Vinícius Junior as the front three. They are supported by Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

The defensive duo of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba guarded the heart of the defense and was accompanied by Dani Carvajal on the right and Eduardo Camavinga on the left. This rear guard escorts goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Meanwhile, Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, appeared in a 4-3-3 formation. He still relies on the front line to Erling Haaland with Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva.

The Norwegian striker is supported by the duo Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish. The three players in the midfield line are filled with Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan.

Guardiola fielded four players in the back row featuring Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Manuel Akanji. The goalkeeper position remains entrusted to Ederson.

In the first 10 minutes, possession of the ball was dominated by Man City. They even had time to release one right kick at the host’s goal. Kevin De Bruyne had threatened Courtois’ goal with a powerful shot but was successfully blocked by the Belgian keeper.

In the 13th minute, Man City again threatened. This time, Rodri fired hard from outside the penalty box but failed to produce a goal because Courtois pushed over.

Three minutes later, Man City put pressure on Madrid’s goal again. Starting from Grealish’s action, which released a bait from the left side. Haaland headed the ball but Courtois caught it well.

In the 25th minute, Real Madrid created an opportunity when Vinicius managed to snatch the ball from an opposing player and release a pass along the ground in front of Man City’s goal. However, the ball was cleared by Ruben Dias, before being used by Karim Benzema, who was already standing in front of the goal.

Despite continuing to be under pressure, Real Madrid actually managed to score a goal and took the lead in the 36th minute. The goal came from a counterattack built by Camavinga. After working with Modric, the French player then gave the ball to Vinicius Junior. This Brazilian player then fired a right-foot shot from outside the penalty box that penetrated the Man City goal. The 1-0 score lasted until the first half was over.

Lineup:

Real Madrid (4-3-3): 1 Thibaut Courtois; 2 Dani Carvajal, 22 Antonio Rudiger, 4 David Alaba, 12 Eduardo Camavinga; 15
Federico Valverde, 8 Toni Kroos, 10 Luka Modric; 21 Rodrygo, 9 Karim Benzema, 20 Vinícius Júnior.

Subs: 13 Andriy Lunin, 5 Jesús Vallejo, 6 Nacho, 7 Eden Hazard, 11 Marco Asensio, 16 Álvaro Odriozola, 17 Lucas, 18 Aurelien Tchouameni, 19 Dani Ceballos, 24 Mariano, 26 Luis López.

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson 31; 25 Manuel Akanji, 3 Ruben Dias, 5 John Stones, 2 Kyle Walker; 16 Rodri, 17 Kevin De Bruyne, 8 Ilkay Gundogan; 20 Bernardo Silva, 9 Erling Haaland, 10 Jack Grealish.

Subs: 4 Kalvin Phillips, 14 Aymeric Laporte, 18 Stefan Ortega, 19 Julian Alvarez, 21 Sergio Gómez, 26 Riyad Mahrez, 33 Scott Carson, 47 Phil Foden, 80 Cole Palmer, 82 Rico Lewis

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