WHY on Earth do Manchester City suddenly seem determined to make their heavyweight opponents so angry?
Why would anybody go out of their way to wind up the 15-time champions of Europe, who possess the most terrifying attacking force on the planet?
Why rub Vinicius Junior’s nose in it? Why give Kylian Mbappe the hump? Why add extra fuel to the fire of Jude Bellingham?
After Erling Haaland had provoked Arsenal into dishing out a 5-1 gubbing of Pep Guardiola’s team nine days earlier, here an ongoing feud over last season’s Ballon d’Or award prompted City’s first European home defeat in seven years.
And now, after Bellingham’s last-gasp winner, City must face their annual trial by fire in the Bernabeu with a one-goal deficit heading into next Wednesday’s second leg.
City are furious that Real boycotted last October’s awards ceremony after their man Rodri pipped Vinicius to be crowned world player of the year.
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And here they unfurled a huge banner of Rodri kissing his golden globe, having plastered similar pictures around the players’ tunnel to get under Real’s skin.
Just like Haaland’s infamous ‘stay humble’ jibe at Mikel Arteta, it backfired.
Real chief Carlo Ancelotti said: “I don’t know if Vini saw the banner but looking at the game if he did see it it was a huge source of motivation for him. “
When City were all-conquering they never felt the need to play the wind-up merchants. So all of these antics smack of desperation.
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Sure, it was petty of Real to snub those awards – but turning the other cheek and rising above it would have served City better.
Anyway, it is a childish squabble over an individual gong. It shouldn’t have impinged on this fixture, right at the summit of club football.
When the four-in-a-row champions of England meet the age-old kings of Europe it is football’s version of a Hollywood red carpet on Oscars night.
The top six in that Ballon d’Or voting all now play for either Real or City.
Four of them played last night and three scored – Haaland twice giving City the lead with his first ever goals against Real, but Mbappe netting the first equaliser and Bellingham the late clincher after sub Brahim Diaz had made it 2-2 in the 85th minute.
As usual when these two collide, it was high-quality, high-tempo, with wild swings in momentum and breathless late drama.
The knock-out stages of the Champions League are as good as football gets. And City versus Real so often feels like the creme de la creme.
Before kick-off, the injured Rodri was spotted in the stands taking a photo of his own image on that giant banner.
Real, dressed in Dutch orange, were ready to dish out some total football.
This has become an annual clash, usually in the latter stages, but here were the top two clubs in the Deloitte Money League scrapping it out in a play-off round for the right to reach the last 16.
Guardiola didn’t include any of his £180million January recruits but sprang a surprise by starting Jack Grealish ahead of Phil Foden.
City had five specialist centre-backs in their starting line-up – John Stones in midfield and four strung across the back.
But Real, suffering a defensive injury crisis to rival Tottenham’s, only had one young reserve central defender, Raul Asencio, available.
In attack, though, Real go from famine to feast. From the off, they set about City by pinging passes at improbable angles at an impossible speed.
Vinicius was floored by Ederson, who was rescued by an offside flag, and then thwarted Mbappe after a gorgeous pass from the scorned Vinicius.
City were looking dizzy right up until the moment they scored.
Grealish played a delightful chipped pass into an advanced Josko Gvardiol who chested down for Haaland to lift his shot over Courtois.
It was the Norwegian’s first goal against Real, at his fifth attempt – although it took an age for VAR to adjudge him onside, presumably a problem with the robot linesman’s wiring.
Grealish was forced off injured, with Foden arriving and having a powerful shot pushed away by Thibaut Courtois.
Vinicius sent a curling effort against the crossbar but City were gaining control in midfield and, after the break, Haaland rattled the crossbar.
Then the European champions went up a gear – Bellingham heading wide, Mbappe testing Ederson.
These were the warning signs. City didn’t – or couldn’t – heed them. On the hour, Real were level.
A free-kick was blocked to Dani Ceballos who floated a delicious ball over the top.
Mbappe timed his run perfectly but shinned his effort, which looped over Ederson – the ball crossing the line in slow motion – it took several seconds for Real’s fans at the far end of the stadium to realise their team had scored.
Federico Valverde picked out Bellingham with an extraordinary raking pass but the Englishman’s finish was weak.
Then a moment of fortune which swung the match back in City’s favour.
Foden cut inside, beat Mendy and was too quick for Ceballos, who dived in and trod on his foot on the edge of the area – Clement Turpin pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Haaland, who had missed a couple of penalties during City’s slump, and sent Courtois the wrong way.
But five minutes from time, Vinicius had an angled drive saved by Ederson only for Diaz to snap up the rebound.
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Real’s winner was a disaster for City – Mateo Kovacic playing a poor ball to Lewis who lost possession, Vinicius chipping Ederson and Bellingham sliding in to score with virtually the last kick of the match.
Next Wednesday City into football’s crucible. Heaven knows why they needed to turn up the heat.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
