Man City take slender lead into the second leg champions league tie after a tough-fought victory against an opponent that gives nothing away.
Kevin de Bruyne’s second-half goal gave Manchester City victory as they overcame Atletico Madrid’s typically fierce resistance in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Etihad Stadium.
“We had chances to score a second and third. It is not easy to face a team with a lot of experience in this tournament. We will go there to score and try to win again.”
“We played an incredible top side who are difficult to face, but it is a good result,” said Guardiola.
It was clear from the opening moments this was going to be a night for patience from City as Atletico, lined a bank of five defenders across the pitch and invited Guardiola’s side to break them down.
Man City take slender lead
Diego Simeone’s side performed with their trademark defensive discipline, restricting City to very few opportunities until De Bruyne pounced to make the breakthrough with 20 minutes left.
Phil Foden, on as a substitute, produced the moment of magic to unlock Atletico with a perfect pass through the legs of Reinildo for De Bruyne to slot past goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
City could not add a second with De Bruyne denied by a block on the line from Stefan Savic, but any lead is precious against an Atletico side who have made a speciality of frustrating Premier League giants in the past.
It was the decisive moment in the tightest of games but City manager Pep Guardiola’s wild celebration illustrated just how much it means to take a lead, even if slender, to Madrid for the second leg on 13 April.
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Match report today
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Luis Suárez avoided walking on the Man City badge while entering the Etihad Stadium. 👏
— 433 (@433) April 5, 2022