In many ways, Manchester City could savour the lack of drama. The mighty Real Madrid were muted. Manuel Pellegrini’s often maligned defence merited their clean sheet. Their Uefa Champions League dream remains feasible.
And yet, amid the pride at a defiant display, there may be a sense of regret. City did much right but barely tested Keylor Navas. They were grateful to Joe Hart, for another display of agility, for preserving the clean sheet. They may get few better chances to beat Madrid, but they almost lost to them. They will need to pose more of an attacking threat at the Bernabeu next Wednesday, while retaining defensive solidity and facing what should be a stronger Madrid team.
A club who have suffered some chastening home defeats on past European adventures could point to excellent performances in much of the pitch. Vincent Kompany was authoritative in the centre of defence, Fernandinho energetic in the middle of midfield, Kevin de Bruyne capable of rousing the crowd whenever he started running at Madrid.
Tellingly, though, there was the performance of Hart. The goalkeeper has been their outstanding individual over their five-year spell in the Champions League. He was crucial in the quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. He was unoccupied for an hour, excellent thereafter, making terrific saves to keep out Casemiro’s header and Pepe’s shot. He was beaten only when Jese’s header clipped the top of the bar.
His colleagues had ensured he had a quiet start. Madrid’s first shot did not arrive until the stroke of half-time and even that, from Karim Benzema, was skied high into the crowing City fans. It was a sign of how Pellegrini’s players had kept the 10-time European champions quiet. If they were buoyed by the occasion and a raucous atmosphere, they received a further boost.
City have felt themselves luckless at times in their Champions League knockout ties. They had a stroke of fortune before kick-off when Cristiano Ronaldo took to the Etihad Stadium turf, but in his suit and to sign a few autographs. A tight thigh sidelined Madrid’s record scorer and, while it will not keep him out of the second leg, the probability is that Bacary Sagna welcomed the news more than most.
The Frenchman was slated to mark the triple World Player of the Year. Lucas Vazquez, formerly of Real Madrid C, does not lend the same fear factor and, although he crossed when Jese struck wood, Ronaldo’s replacement was rather less explosive.
Madrid lost a second member of their feared front three at the break, when Benzema departed. Gareth Bale’s attempt to compensate incorporated a dive, a couple of solo runs, and a shot bent inches wide but there was a sense he represented a lone threat in open play.
City suffered an injury blow of their own. David Silva hobbled off in the 40th minute after a performance notable for a caution, for bringing down Bale. It was significant, too, that Pellegrini replaced him with Kelechi Iheanacho. It was a crowd-pleasing move. The teenager sprinted on with the air of a footballer who did not want to waste a second. He had never made a first-team appearance when the season began. He may yet end it a Champions League winner.
More pragmatic alternatives have been available. It was a sign of Pellegrini’s growing belief. It also meant De Bruyne was shifted to the left. It was from that flank that he drew Navas’ only save, with an injury-time free kick. The reshuffle left Sergio Aguero as the chief threat. The former Atletico Madrid striker darted and wriggled around in his search for an opening. None really materialised, perhaps unsurprisingly as Silva is often his supplier.
Raheem Sterling was sent on for a late cameo but he spurned his only opportunity with a lax touch. Madrid could return to Spain with no damage done. They could consider their job done.
With Madrid in their 27th Champions League semi-final and City in their first, these are clubs at the opposite end of the spectrum. Yet it was to the credit of Pellegrini’s players that the gulf in experience was not apparent. City may deem it a favourable omen that Madrid have lost four of their last five. Yet the stiffest task awaits if they are to make it five semi-final exits in six seasons.
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