April 06, (THEWILL) – Manchester City will go into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid with a 1-0 advantage, after a tight encounter at the Etihad on Tuesday.
The game’s sole goal was scored by Belgian, Kevin De Bruyne, but it was substitute Phil Foden, who made the critical effect towards City scoring the winner just seconds after coming on.
Clear chances were few and far between in the first half of a tactical chess match of the highest order but it was not in any way boring. In the first 45 minutes, neither team managed a single attempt on goal, with Ilkay Gundogan’s tantalising cross in from the right wing providing the greatest opportunity for either side.
The hosts, who are accustomed to slicing through opponents, lacked the intensity and incisiveness to truly trouble Diego Simeone’s well-drilled defence.
When De Bruyne came under minor pressure between two Atletico players in the closing moments of the first half, City had a modest penalty plea turned away.
Atletico’s biggest threat was left to the counter attack due to their tactical form. Joao Felix posed a constant threat, but Gundogan did just enough to prevent Antoine Griezmann from scoring on a breakaway.
Jan Oblak was put to the test almost an hour later, diving low to parry a De Bruyne free-kick that was beautifully curled over Atletico’s defensive wall. Aymeric Laporte could have done better with a free header from a corner not long after, but his effort went over the bar.
Pep Guardiola’s substitutions in the second half had the desired effect. Foden had cut through Atletico in a way that none of his colleagues had been able to, sliding a ball through for De Bruyne to finish past Oblak less than a minute after coming off the bench.
City had a chance to extend the advantage thanks to Foden’s quick feet cutting in from the right. Stefan Savic stood in the way of De Bruyne as the ball made its way to the edge of the box. But, there was to be no further goals in the game before the final whistle.
In the reverse fixture, Atletico will hope to benefit from home advantage, but they will have to adjust their strategy if they hope to remain in Europe beyond the quarter-finals.
On the other hand, City will be forced to play without Jesus, who has been suspended after receiving a yellow card earlier this evening. Nonetheless, the Premier League champions will be optimistic about their chances of progressing to the semi-finals.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
