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The Cityzens were heavy favourites going into the game against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu
Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, again was the architect of his side’s failure to take control of the first leg of the semi-final meeting with Real Madrid.
The match ended 1-1 and is now evenly poised for the second leg at the Etihad in two weeks time.
Last season, City were two minutes away from a famous victory before a Rodrygo brace turned the game on its head, sending Los Blancos into the final.
Pulse Sports highlight three mistakes Guardiola made during the game last night;
1. He didn’t make any substitution
Guardiola had potent weapons on the bench that could have hurt Real Madrid as the game wore on.
Options such as Riyad Mahrez and England midfielder Phil Foden, who are adept at creating chances, running behind defences and scoring goals.
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07:51 - 10.05.2023
Guardiola highlights City's need for improvement ahead of Real Madrid second leg
Guardiola was blunt in his assessment of Man City's 1-1 Champions League semifinal draw with Real Madrid stating that his team must learn to 'defend better and attack better'.
The other clear swap the Spanish coach could have made was replacing the pedestrian Erling Haaland with Julian Alvarez.
Ancelotti brought on Aurelien Tchouameni who could have won the game for Madrid but for a brilliant save by Ederson.
However, Guardiola stuck with the same eleven for the entire 90 mins plus added time. A substitute player like Foden or Alvarez might have made the difference.
2. He didn’t man-mark Vinicius Junior
Before the game, Frenchman Karem Benzema and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland grabbed the headlines.
However, on the field of play, it was Brazilian sensation, Vinicius Junior, who only aged 20 has won every trophy available in club football that drew first blood.
He found a bit of space just outside the box, after a blistering run by Camavinga from his own half before passing the ball to Vinicius.
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06:25 - 10.05.2023
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Kevin De Bruyne's scored an outstanding equaliser for Manchester City against Real Madrid but there was controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the goal.
Vinicius released a rocket of a shot into the top corner, beyond the reach of Ederson. Not only that, he was a menace all night for City fullbacks.
Guardiola could have detailed a player to man-marked Vinicius to keep him quiet throughout the game but he failed to do so.
3. Too much focus on possession football
Manchester City were dominant for large spells of the game, and they enjoyed a lion share of possession against the Bernabeu side.
However, for all their possession, City lacked bite and cutting edge for most part of the encounter, while Madrid were content to sit back and hit on the counter.
Madrid were dangerous whenever they had the ball, but Guardiola’s men were guilty of keeping the ball without hurting the opposition.
Final Thoughts
Both teams will square up again in two weeks time at the Etihad with a place in the Champions league final at stake.
Will Guardiola get it right or will the hugely experienced Carlo Ancelotti prove once more why Real Madrid are eleven time winners of Europe’s elite competition? Fingers crossed.
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