Manchester City’s manager, Josep Guardiola, explained why no substitutions were made during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. The remarks were reported by World Deportivo. He noted that the players on the pitch were performing well and that the decision not to rotate was deliberate. Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish, in his view, could both possess and protect the ball when needed, which aligned with the plan to deny Real Madrid dangerous counterattacks. Guardiola emphasized that Real Madrid presented a tougher challenge under the match conditions, so the team chose to slow the tempo and maintain control rather than inviting rapid transitions.
The game, held in Madrid, finished level at 1-1. In the first half, Vinicius Junior gave Real Madrid the lead, finding the net and putting Madrid ahead. Later, with around 23 minutes remaining in the match, Kevin De Bruyne struck to level the score, ensuring that City carried momentum into the second leg. The overall balance of play reflected a cautious approach from both sides, with City focusing on stability and effective ball management as the clock wore on.
The second leg is scheduled for May 17 in Manchester, with kickoff set for 22:00 Moscow time. The tactical narrative from the first encounter suggests the away goal could prove pivotal, and Manchester City will be aiming to leverage home support and a familiar atmosphere to push through to the final stages of the competition.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final pairing will see Inter Milan facing AC Milan. The first leg is planned for May 10, with a 22:00 Moscow time start. Both Italian clubs will be keen to translate domestic form into European success and push toward a place in the title decider in Istanbul. The tournament culminates with the final in Istanbul, scheduled for June 10, where the winner will be decided on a single match that brings together the two finalists after a long campaign.
Luka Modric, the former Real Madrid midfielder, offered his take on the recent draw between Real Madrid and Manchester City, reflecting on how the two teams matched up in a game that produced a balanced result and left the tie very much open as the stage moved to the second leg. The assessment underscored the sense that both sides demonstrated quality and resilience throughout the encounter, making the upcoming fixture a highly anticipated clash for fans and analysts alike.