Real Madrid and Manchester City faced off in a thrilling clash in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs. The match, played at the Etihad Stadium, lived up to expectations, with intense sequences and an impressive technical level. Manchester City took the lead in the first half thanks to Erling Haaland, who was able to take advantage of a defensive error to open the scoring. However, in the second half, Real Madrid gradually regained their strength, and it was Kylian Mbappé who scored the equaliser. But it was the Norwegian who thought he had the last word with a double from the penalty spot in the 80th minute. With a few minutes to go, Carlo Ancelotti launched Brahim Diaz and the Moroccan allowed Real to come back to 2-2 before Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal 2-3 before the return leg. Here are the ratings and analysis of the performances of the Madrid players:
Thibaut Courtois: 7 As imperious as ever, Thibaut Courtois once again proved that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Although he conceded a goal on an unstoppable strike from Erling Haaland, the Belgian goalkeeper made a number of decisive saves, particularly in the first half, where he repelled several attempts by City's attackers. His footwork and calmness brought stability to his defense. He was able to keep his team alive in difficult moments.
Federico Valverde: 7.5 Playing in an unusual position in the absence of Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde proved that he was a versatile and indispensable player for Carlo Ancelotti. Deployed on the right side of the defense, he knew how to combine defensive rigor and offensive projection. His defensive interventions were valuable in containing Jack Grealish's advances. Offensively, he provided support, offering interesting solutions and crosses. A game full of self-sacrifice for the Uruguayan.
Raul Asencio: 8 Despite his young age and lack of experience in this type of match, Raul Asencio was impressive. Solid in the duels, quick in his interventions and focused throughout the match, he often got the better of City's attackers. Faced with an ever-threatening Erling Haaland, he kept his cool and made a number of intelligent interceptions. He asserted himself as a true defensive leader.
Aurélien Tchouameni: 6 The French midfielder, repositioned in central defense, turned in a decent performance but could have done better on Haaland's goal, where his positioning left something to be desired. Apart from that, he showed good quality of recovery and an interesting reading of the game. Nevertheless, he was sometimes caught out by the speed of the opposing attacks. A mixed match.
Ferland Mendy: 5.5 Back in the starting eleven, Ferland Mendy had a complicated evening. Caught out of his depth on several occasions by Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, he left too much space in his corridor. He could even have made the situation worse with a dangerous loss of the ball in the first half. Offensively, he tried a few moves up the pitch, but without much success. A performance below his usual standards.
Eduardo Camavinga: 8 Eduardo Camavinga's return from injury was a blessing for Real Madrid. Positioned at the heart of the game, he dictated the tempo and won back an impressive number of balls. His vision and ability to play under pressure were invaluable to his team. He was ever-present in duels and was also a key element in attacking transitions. A top-class performance from the young Frenchman.
Dani Ceballos: 6 Dani Ceballos didn't particularly shine, but he did his job seriously. Less influential than his teammates in midfield, he nevertheless tried to bring movement and fluidity to Madrid's game. He lacked impact in the duels and sometimes had trouble positioning himself against the Citizens' intense pressing. A decent match, but without brilliance.
Jude Bellingham: 7 The England international, usually so influential, appeared frustrated and uninspired on the Manchester City pitch. His body language betrayed his annoyance at the lack of balls he was receiving. He struggled to stand out and be decisive, although his fighting spirit was there. A mixed game for him, but his talent made the difference at the end of the match when he scored the winning goal 2-3.
Rodrygo: 6 Rodrygo had promised a great match in the press conference, but he failed to deliver on his ambitions. The Brazilian tried, dribbled, hit, but without much success. He often came up against the defensive solidity of the Skyblues and was unable to prove decisive. His desire was palpable, but he will have to do better in the return match.
Vinicius Jr: 7 Real Madrid's most impactful player offensively, Vinicius Jr often put City's defence under pressure with his speed and ability to cut through opponents. However, he sometimes lacked clarity in the final move and did not always make the best choices. His duel with Kyle Walker was intense, but he was unable to consistently gain the upper hand. In stoppage time, he was the source of Jude Bellingham's winning goal. A frustrating, but encouraging, performance.
Kylian Mbappé: 7 Initially struggling against Manchester City's tight defence, Kylian Mbappé took a while to find his rhythm. His first attempts failed to trouble Ederson, and he sometimes seemed frustrated by the lack of space. However, in the second half, he raised his game and was more incisive. His speed and positioning skills allowed him to score the equaliser , reminding us why he is one of the best players in the world. A performance that is building