MAN CITY will take a slender lead to the Wanda Metropolitano after a crucial win over Atletico Madrid.
Pep Guardiola’s men took 55 minutes to register a single shot on target as Diego Simeone’s gameplan worked to perfection.
But Phil Foden changed the shape of the match with a brilliant assist for Kevin de Bruyne to bag the only goal of the game.
That’s all from the Etihad Stadium
Man City have a narrow advantage going into the second leg of this quarter-final clash.
It is still all to play for.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Elsewhere in the Champions League
Goals from Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz helped Liverpool to a 3-1 win against Benfica.
Darwin Nunez managed to get a goal back just after half time, but the Portuguese side still have a mountain to climb when they travel to Anfield next week.
Pep Guardiola reacts
When speaking to BT Sport, Guardiola said:
“We played an incredible top side who are difficult to face but it is a good result. We had chances to score a second and third.
“The guys were playing well but we knew that Gabriel [Jesus] and Phil [Foden] have a special energy and Jack [Grealish] has the quality to keep the ball.
“Yeah, today the manager was so clever.
“When we make a sub it is because we think it can be a bit better. It works sometimes but other times it doesn’t.
“It is not easy to face a team with a lot of experience in this tournament. We will go there to score and try and win again.”
Credit: Getty
Phil on fire
Phil Foden has now assisted seven goals in the Champions League.
Only Cesc Fabregas has set up more goals in the competition for English clubs while aged 21 and younger.
Kevin De Bruyne reacts
When speaking to BT Sport, De Bruyne said:
“The first half was tight in the second half we had a couple of chances and it was good that we took one.
“I made the run and Phil [Foden] found me perfectly, I needed to stay composed and luckily I did. It’s very hard.
“They played with almost five at the back and with five in midfield. I recommend anyone that says anything [about us], that they try playing against that on the training ground.”
“We have to stay composed and don’t try to get into their action. It is the way they play. One nil is one nil. I expect similar over there.
“If the game is tight they will have to attack a little bit more.”
Credit: Getty Full Time – Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid can take the positives from some aspects of the game.
They were outstanding in defence for the majority of the 90 minutes and regularly prevented Man City from breaking through.
Simeone will want to improve the attacking threat going into the second leg, as his side barely had a shot on goal this evening.
Credit: Getty Full Time – Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Man City dominated the game from the off, constantly pressing high and creating numerous problems for the Atletico Madrid defence.
The squad were injected with a new level of intensity when Guardiola made three attacking substitutions – Phil Foden in particular stood out from the moment he stepped onto the pitch, and claimed an assist within 79 seconds of his introduction.
They arguably could have scored a few more goals, but Atletico were defensively solid throughout.
Credit: AP Full Time – Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
In the clash between the Premier League champions and the La Liga champions, it was Man City who came out on top.
Diego Simeone just stormed down the tunnel without shaking Pep Guardiola’s hand – perhaps a sign of frustration after a challenging game.
Credit: Alamy Full Time – Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Vrsaljko is booked for a challenge on Grealish.
Ederson is also booked… but I’m not sure if anyone knows why.
90. Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Vrsaljko somehow wins a free kick after blocking the run of Grealish.
Man City are clearly unhappy with some of the referee’s decisions this evening.
84. Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Atletico make another change.
Felix makes way for Lemar.
85. Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Jesus receives a yellow card after giving away a clumsy foul.
He will now miss the second leg of this clash…
83. Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Vrsaljko commits a foul on Grealish right in front of Pep Guardiola.
Correa follows up the challenge by kicking the ball at the midfielder’s face and receives a booking for his actions.
Credit: PA 80. Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Man City almost double their lead!
Foden drives into the box and skips past three defenders with beautiful footwork before squaring the ball to De Bruyne.
The midfielder looks almost certain to score his second, but the strike is blocked by Savic.
77. Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are pushing for the equaliser.
Rodri gives away a free kick after accidentally stepping on Kondogbia’s ankle.
71. Man City 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Foden makes an instant impact as he receives the ball before driving into a pocket of space on the edge of the box.
He taps it through to De Bruyne who places the ball into the bottom corner!
That’s five goals in five games for the midfielder!
Credit: Getty 70. GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL MAN CITY!!!!!!
De Bruyne breaks the deadlock!
68. Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Man City make a triple substitution.
Jesus replaces Sterling.
Grealish replaces Gundogan.
Foden replaces Mahrez.
67. Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Man City have ANOTHER penalty appeal denied as Sterling goes to ground in the box.
Boos ring around the Etihad as the ball goes out of play.
63. Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Man City come agonisingly close to taking the lead.
Mahrez sends the ball into the box from a corner.
It finds Laporte who heads towards goal, but his effort flies over the bar and onto the roof of the net.
60. Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid make three substitutions.
Correa replaces Griezman.
Cunha replaces Llorente.
De Paul replaces Koke.
55. Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
De Bruyne takes the free kick on the edge of the box.
He aims for the bottom right corner, but Oblak gets down to make an excellent save.
53. Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Mahrez is fouled in a dangerous position and Man City have a free kick.
De Bruyne sets it short to the winger who is fouled again on the edge of the box.
51. Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Atletico have approached this second half with a new level of energy.
Llorente is sent through on goal again, but his shot flies straight into the hands of Ederson.
46. Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have an early chance as Llorente is sent through on goal, but his shot is poor.
The goal would not have counted anyway, as the linesman’s flag is up.
Credit: EPA
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
