The Master’s Praise for a Defiant Defence
Carlo Ancelotti, the serial Champions League-winning manager, sat in the media theatre at the Etihad Stadium and praised his team’s resilient defence. “I didn’t think the team were able to make such a sacrifice as they did this evening,” he said. It was a striking statement, especially considering Ancelotti’s reputation as a flexible and adaptable coach rather than a defensive guru. Real Madrid’s backline was a patchwork of players not traditionally positioned as defenders. Jude Bellingham, a midfielder, and Raúl Arenas, a 21-year-old making just his 22nd appearance for the club, were among those standing in as centre-backs and right-backs. If this performance was any indication, these young players might find themselves with many more memorable moments in their careers.
Manchester City’s Frustrating Evening
For Manchester City, however, the evening was memorable for all the wrong reasons. The script of their season was laid bare before a global audience. Despite a performance that radiated ambition and attacking threat, the team’s Achilles’ heel—defensive vulnerability—came to the fore once again. Nathan Aké expressed the collective frustration: “When you’re winning 2-1 to give it away like that is frustrating and hard to take. Especially because it’s happened a few times now this season and we haven’t learned from it yet.” The sentiment was echoed by Ruben Dias: “You cannot let it go the way we did.” John Stones was blunt in his assessment: “It’s a feeling of anger and frustration. We need to see games out better.” City’s inability to hold onto leads has become a recurring theme, and it cost them dearly against Real Madrid.
The Pattern of Late Goals
The pattern of conceding late goals has haunted City throughout the season. In the Premier League, only three teams have conceded more goals in the final 15 minutes than City’s 11. In the Champions League, no team has let in more goals late in the game than City’s seven. Bellingham’s 92nd-minute winner at the Etihad means City has now conceded 17 goals in the competition this season, more than any other Guardiola-led side in a single campaign. When City won the Champions League in 2022-23, they played seven knockout games and allowed just three goals. In stark contrast, in this lone game against Real, they conceded three.
The Cost of Tired Legs and Limited Depth
The team defined by control and precision has become increasingly careless, and a significant part of this issue is tied to their aging and tired squad. Opponents have learned that if they keep pressuring City, they will eventually receive rewards. Real’s late goals, much like those from Paris Saint-Germain, leveraged this weakness. Aké, who returned after a four-week absence, made a goal-saving block before being substituted at the hour mark. Stones, who had shown flashes of brilliance in midfield, had to move back to cover for the Dutchman. Manuel Akanji, who only lasted 45 minutes, provided a tough challenge for Vinicius Jr, but his eventual departure left City’s right flank exposed. Vinicius Jr’s dominance in the absence of Akanji highlighted the deep-seated issues City faces at right-back, especially with Kyle Walker’s decline and absence.
The Struggles of Out-of-Position Players
The struggles were not limited to the backline. The emergence of Bellingham as a defensive midfielder in Real’s setup presented a significant challenge for City’s out-of-position players. Rico Lewis, who has been thrust into a defensive role, looks increasingly unable to cope at this level. In the last 99 minutes of Champions League football, City has conceded seven goals and scored just one. For Ilkay Gündogan, who lacks the mobility to compete in high-stakes matches, the aggregate score stands at 5-0 in his last 71 minutes of European football. Mateo Kovačić, another midfielder deployed out of position, was partly to blame for Real’s second and third goals. The disarray in City’s midfield was evident, and the inclusion of a specialist like Kovačić did little to shore up the defensive solidity needed.
The Rodri Void and the Road Ahead
All of these issues point back to the significant void left by Rodri, City’s erstwhile defensive midfielder. Without Rodri’s presence, City’s defensive structure appears to crumble. Two years ago, City eliminated Real Madrid, conceding just one goal over 180 minutes and limiting them to an expected goals total of 1.11. In contrast, Real Madrid had 20 shots and an xG of 3.42 on Tuesday. Guardiola, recognizing the challenges, highlighted Ederson as the team’s best player, a reflection of the pressure on the goalkeeper. With no guarantee of Akanji’s fitness for the return leg at the Bernabéu next week, City faces a daunting task. The weaknesses exposed in this match will need to be addressed if they are to stand a chance in the second leg and avoid another painful collapse.
