Real Madrid were beaten 4-3 by Manchester City in an epic first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
Here’s how Carlo Ancelotti’s side rated at the Etihad...
Thibaut Courtois 5
Hardly to blame for any of the first three goals but did not exactly infuse a ragged backline with calmness either. Seemed to switch off expecting a City free-kick when beaten at near post for fourth.
Dani Carvajal 5
A real mixed bag. Made important interception on stroke of half-time and in clearing Foden effort off line, but caught napping at back post for at least two of City’s goals.
Eder Militao 4
Given the runaround by countryman Jesus and sucked across to him when caught under Fernandinho’s cross for Foden goal. The centrepiece of a backline that looked vulnerable throughout.
David Alaba 3
Defied fitness doubt to start but poor decision allowed Jesus to spin him for the second in uncharacteristically frantic display. Did not make it back out after half-time.
Ferland Mendy 5
Got an assist for a fairly average cross thanks to Benzema’s brilliance but won’t be happy to have been skinned by 36-year-old Fernandinho for Foden goal.
Toni Kroos 5
Might’ve intercepted De Bruyne cross that led to second goal. Lack of mobility exposed at base of midfield without Casemiro holding the fort.
Luka Modric 7
Outshone creatively by De Bruyne but won crucial 50/50 in build-up to Benzema goal and still managed to show class. Influence, as against Chelsea, seemed to be growing in second half but replaced soon after fourth City goal.
Fede Valverde 5
Dropped into midfield with Casemiro out but within two minutes the Brazilian’s absence was felt as he failed to go with De Bruyne’s run. Supposed to provide legs alongside the two veterans but faced an impossible task against City’s collection of energetic wizards.
Rodrygo 5
Anonymous until testing Ederson from tight angle in flurry after Benzema goal. Improved after the break before being subbed with 20 minutes to play as Carlo Ancelotti sought so shore things up.
Vinicius Jr. 7
Failed to punish City sloppiness in possession at the back on more than one occasion but came alive when realising Fernandinho mismatch and scored brilliant solo goal after trickery on halfway.
Karim Benzema 8
First goal gave Madrid a foothold when they were threatening to be blown away and summed him up: half-a-chance wonderfully put away with a finish few could have executed. Panenka for the second was outrageously cool in circumstances.
Substitutes
Nacho (Alaba 46’) 6
Replaced an out-of-sorts Alaba and did fine.
Eduardo Camavinga (Rodrygo 70’) 5
Sent on to reinforce midfield as Ancelotti seemed to accept a one-goal deficit as a good result but was another whose failure to play to whistle contributed to Bernardo strike.
Dani Ceballos (Modric 79’)
Marco Asensio (Vincius 88’)
