Pep Guardiola strode off into the Madrid evening along with his head bowed and a glance of focus, instantly parking the outcome within the Bernabeu.
Within the luxurious Rosewood Villa Magna on Wednesday morning, Manchester Metropolis’s gamers had their spa therapies relishing the fact that they’re seven video games from immortality.
Actual Madrid away was the most important impediment to beat, with the following two huge of their Treble aspirations. Minds are on Everton on Sunday however Actual are on the town on Wednesday. So what did we study from the primary leg that may affect on the blockbuster second?
Kyle vs Vinicius is vital
There’ll come a degree through the second leg when Metropolis might want to climate some type of storm. Even when they dominate the sport, and Actual fortunately cede floor, Vinicius Junior can have a say.
The battle between Kyle Walker and Vinicius will as soon as once more be key within the second leg
The 2 gamers have been pals on the full time whistle on Tuesday however will do battle once more subsequent week on the Etihad
Walker has been important to Metropolis’s defensive play and easily doesn’t get overwhelmed for tempo
What Metropolis did within the Bernabeu was one thing they didn’t handle in the identical constructing web site of a stadium this time final 12 months. After they have been pressed again, Metropolis’s defensive unit stood tall.
Actual regarded primed to discover a second aim, with alternatives to style possibilities, however there have been the last-ditch efforts — a John Stones block, a Kyle Walker deal with — to stop extra injury that confirmed why Metropolis haven’t conceded multiple aim in a recreation for the reason that center of January now, a run of 24 matches.
Walker’s embrace with Vinicius at full time, the pair congratulating one another on an eye catching duel, indicated how necessary that space is to who progresses.
With Walker injured, Metropolis needed to play Fernandinho at proper again final 12 months and his countryman loved that, with an outrageous dummy which he collected himself within the build-up to 1 aim. Walker doesn’t get completed for tempo — he beat Vinicius to the ball on Tuesday when the Brazilian did precisely the identical trick that had fooled Fernandinho final 12 months. Who wins their duel subsequent week will go a protracted solution to deciding the tie.
Choice dilemmas
Guardiola will re-watch the primary leg over the approaching days however believes he has seen sufficient to provide you with a barely completely different plan to present Metropolis the absolute best probability to achieve one other closing.
It’s most likely unlikely that he’ll go for extra direct attacking gamers, nonetheless, with Bernardo Silva a most well-liked alternative on the best wing once more forward of Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez.
Silva gives a extra measured possibility when retaining possession as they transfer via the thirds — in the end a safer wager towards opposition who can devastate on the counter assault, of which Actual are one of the best in Europe.
Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola must resolve whether or not or not he’ll make modifications subsequent week
Phil Foden was an unused substitute on Tuesday although is pushing for a begin on the best
Foden could be the one to stretch the sport, though a theme with Guardiola is that he largely insists on sticking to the plan and he’s extra more likely to hold Foden as an ace up his sleeve.
Tuesday evening was the primary time since 2007 {that a} supervisor has not made a single substitution in a Champions League semi-final, with solely Julian Alvarez warming up for the ultimate 20 minutes. Carlo Ancelotti, in the meantime, has main selections to make on the again.
Does he convey Eder Militao again in for Antonio Rudiger, who was acclaimed for lowering Erling Haaland to simply 21 touches, the fewest of any starter?
Utilizing Erling
There’s a revealing clip of Rudiger and Haaland, the place the centre again nestles his head beneath the striker’s arm — somewhat like a defensive motion in basketball — to be able to keep low and cease the Metropolis man spinning simply.
Each Rudiger and David Alaba caught touch-tight to Haaland, ruggedly stopping him more often than not, however they have been ably assisted by these in entrance of them.
Actual’s form out of possession noticed two midfielders usually drop into areas between the total again and centre half.
Erling Haaland had a quiet recreation on the Bernabeu and can look to have extra of an affect in Manchester
Haaland was stored quiet by Rudiger (pictured) and David Alaba, whereas safety in entrance helped
Actual let each Rodri and Stones have the ball, blissful for them to progress, with the deal with closing any house for Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. Metropolis are so harmful within the half-spaces, the place Luka Modric and Federico Valverde resided, that it grew to become the important thing battle floor.
Guardiola supplied De Bruyne licence to roam however he couldn’t absolutely shake markers within the really threatening areas. Flip Metropolis over there after which the sport can turn into extra vertical for Actual’s runners. However can Metropolis discover a solution to open up Actual and free Haaland from the attentions of Rudiger and Alaba?
Working the ball and manoeuvring Actual’s midfield three away from their deep stations may work. It’s why Guardiola went so mad at just about each midfielder at one level or one other for gifting low cost possession away. He is aware of that one positional misstep from Modric, Valverde or Toni Kroos and Metropolis are in, as occurred early on.
Eduardo Camavinga (left) may transfer into midfield for Madrid whereas Bernardo Silva (proper) might lose his place
There’s additionally the potential to look in behind the total again if Eduardo Camavinga strikes central, as he did within the second half. Modric sat in for the France worldwide however it’s one thing that could possibly be exploited. The odd cross aimed for Haaland, and maybe choosing up any second balls, may unnerve Actual, though this goes towards Guardiola’s ideas of management.
Metropolis have been good on Tuesday. Not classic, however the higher facet. Enjoying towards groups who sit so deep is rarely straightforward — particularly one with the standard of Actual. Even so, Jack Grealish continues to flourish on the most important stage, creating six possibilities — essentially the most of any away participant on the Bernabeu in Europe since 2007.
Rotation selections
Dani Carvajal, whose battle with Grealish was fascinating, steered that Actual have a correct benefit with the weekend video games. Actual have an inconsequential fixture towards Getafe, whereas Metropolis go to resurgent Everton, the place dropping factors may see them fall behind Arsenal once more.
Dani Carvajal (left) has insisted Madrid have a bonus given either side’ weekend video games
Rodri (proper) is one Metropolis participant who has had a relaxation just lately, whereas others’ could also be on the best way
One thing has to present for Guardiola. There’ll come a degree when he must roll the cube with choice if they will win the lot and Goodison Park is maybe that second. They can’t relaxation the complete crew however might want to rotate in locations.
The likes of Rodri and Ederson have been afforded days off just lately. They may hope Nathan Ake proves his health.
Luck
It’s unquantifable, it’s uncontrollable however typically ties of this magnitude are selected the bounce of the ball. Metropolis have been the higher crew final 12 months over two semi-finals however have been overwhelmed by two objectives within the closing minute and one other in additional time. Unhealthy luck or a lack of management?
Nobody can deny Manchester United have been fortunate on their path to the Treble in 1999. Metropolis may do with a dollop of fortune of their very own subsequent week.