L’Equipe’s Harsh Critique of Manchester City’s Performance
French newspaper L’Equipe did not hold back in their assessment of Manchester City’s 3-2 Champions League play-off defeat to Real Madrid. The match, which took place at the Etihad Stadium, saw City initially take a commanding lead with Erling Haaland scoring a brace, sandwiched around a goal from Kylian Mbappé. However, the tide turned dramatically in the closing stages, with Brahim Díaz leveling the score and Jude Bellingham securing a stoppage-time winner for the reigning European champions. L’Equipe’s player ratings were particularly brutal, singling out several Man City stars for their underwhelming performances.
Bernardo Silva’s Poor Showing
Among the most criticized was Bernardo Silva, who received the lowest rating of the starters at 3/10. L’Equipe was unrelenting in their critique, noting that the Portuguese midfielder had a poor game, winning only 17% of his duels (1 out of 6), recovering just 3 balls, and committing 3 fouls. One of these fouls, a well-placed free kick, led directly to Mbappé’s equaliser. The newspaper also pointed out that Silva could have been shown a yellow card for a charge on Jude Bellingham in the 89th minute, which surprisingly went unnoticed by the referee. This performance was a stark contrast to Silva’s usual high standards, and L’Equipe’s low rating reflects the significant drop in his form on the night.
Ederson’s Role in Real Madrid’s Goals
Goalkeeper Ederson was another player who faced intense scrutiny from L’Equipe, receiving a 4/10 rating. Despite making several crucial saves against Mbappé and Bellingham, Ederson was criticized for his static positioning on Mbappé’s goal. More damning was his role in the second goal, where he gave away possession in the build-up to Díaz’s equaliser. L’Equipe highlighted that Ederson first missed his clearance and then pushed the ball back to the Moroccan, leading to the goal. These errors were particularly costly, given the high stakes of the match and the impact they had on the final result.
Guardiola’s Tactical Decisions Questioned
Pep Guardiola, the City manager, was also given a 4/10 rating for his management of the match. L’Equipe was critical of Guardiola’s tactical decisions, suggesting that they may have contributed to the team’s late collapse. The low rating for the manager, who is known for his innovative and successful strategies, indicates that the newspaper believed his choices were not effective in maintaining the team’s lead. This is a significant blow to Guardiola’s reputation, especially in a high-profile match like the Champions League play-off against Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s Mixed Performances
Despite winning the first leg, Real Madrid’s performance was not without its flaws. L’Equipe gave 4/10 ratings to Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy. Ceballos was penalized for a foul on Phil Foden that led to Haaland’s penalty, while Mendy was deemed to have "suffered enormously" on the left side of Real Madrid’s defense. The newspaper’s critical stance on these players suggests that even the victors had their share of underperformers. However, the overall performance of Real Madrid was praised, with several players and their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, receiving 7/10 ratings.
Vinicius Jr’s Stellar Performance
In a match filled with highs and lows, Vinicius Jr stood out as the best performer on the pitch, earning an 8/10 rating from L’Equipe. The Brazilian forward was lauded for his energy and resilience, with the newspaper noting that boos from Man City supporters had "no effect" on him. Vinicius Jr’s performance was a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion, and L’Equipe highlighted that he has "found the energy that made him strong last season." This rating underscores his crucial role in Real Madrid’s victory and his potential to be a key player in the upcoming second leg.
Erling Haaland’s Double and Raul Asencio’s Promise
Erling Haaland, despite scoring twice for Manchester City, was given a 7/10 rating by L’Equipe. While his goals were vital, the newspaper believed that Vinicius Jr’s overall impact on the game was more significant. Haaland’s performance, however, was still commendable, and his ability to score in such a high-pressure match is a positive sign for City. On the Real Madrid side, young defender Raul Asencio, who is just 21 years old, received a 7/10 rating. L’Equipe praised his "formidable reading of the game" and noted that he demonstrated he is more than just a substitute. Asencio’s performance suggests that he could be a valuable asset for Real Madrid in the future, adding depth and quality to their defense.
