Champions League

TEAR up the tactics manual, kick down the whiteboard, trash the laptop filled with data analytics – and just give us more of this please. We usually end up accusing Pep Guardiola of ‘over-thinking’ stuff at this stage of the Champions League – but it would be ridiculous to imagine that very much meaningful thought went into this belting semi-final first-leg. 
Kevin De Bruyne headed the hosts ahead in a thrilling 4-3 Man City win over Real MadridCredit: Getty
Karim Benzema scored twice on the night, including a brilliant Panenka penalty, to keep Real Madrid in the tieCredit: EPA
City will take a slender lead to the Bernabeu next Wednesday after a thrillingly anarchic  amphetamine dream of how elite football isn’t supposed to be. 
Guardiola has presided over similar Champions League victories here before – the 5-3 against Monaco in 2017 and the 4-3 with Spurs in 2019. City lost both ties. 
The City boss and Real’s Carlo Ancelotti, with five European Cups between them, might as well have popped down the boozer and had a night off. 
The throbbing tempo, the breathtaking quality, the hare-brained defending, the absence of any discernible structure made this an extraordinary night. 
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It could not have been more different from City’s quarter-finals against Real’s killjoy crosstown rivals Atletico. 
This was magnificent. You couldn’t take your eyes off it. You sure as hell couldn’t explain it. And you absolutely will not want to miss next Wednesday’s second helping from the Spanish capital. 
City seized a two-goal lead inside 11 minutes, then again early in the second half and then again 17 minutes from the end. 
Each time, Real swiftly pegged them back to a single-goal advantage – Karim Benzema scoring a sublime volley and an audacious penalty, either side of Vinicius embarrassing elderly stand-in right-back Fernandinho.
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Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva all netted for City – De Bruyne and Foden were both in gorgeous form. 
But City’s right-back crisis told – with Kyle Walker injured, Joao Cancelo banned and a half-fit John Stones making way for the 36-year-old Fernandinho, who was kippered by road-runner Vinicius for Real’s second.
Despite some mass flag-waving the pre-match atmosphere was hardly the stuff of the bearpit.
At least not until the locals started booing the Champions League theme, a tradition as well-observed as pie, chips and gravy from the Maine Road Chippy.
Still, the relative calm didn’t matter – City were ahead after 94 seconds. 
Amongst the mayhem, John Stones hobbled off injured in the first halfCredit: Getty
Gabriel Jesus kept up his excellent form with another goalCredit: Reuters
Riyad Mahrez was hugging the touchline but immediately showed murderous intent, zigzagging past three Real players and dinking a delicious centre to the far post. 
There, De Bruyne was almost decapitated by Dani Carvajal as he stooped to head home. 
The theme for the evening was truly set. No jugular would ever be safe. 
Foden was in party mode, controlling with his chest on the touchline and swivelling past his man, then laying back for De Bruyne to feed Jesus, who turned a static David Alaba with ease and popped it home. 
Guardiola’s men were two-up after eleven minutes and yet there were already signs that their defence was wonky, Ederson having one of his easily-distracted evenings. 
Foden, though, had the devil in him, producing the kind soft-shoe take-down of a long pass that would have made Dimitar Berbatov blush. 
Benzema’s first goal was a sumptuous left-footed effort that crept in off the postCredit: Getty
Phil Foden wheels away in celebration after finding the back of the netCredit: AP
The defending was slapstick – Eder Militao conceding a corner with a wild back-pass, then a Ruben Dias blunder which saw him hit his own post, after another Ederson brain-fade. 
De Bruyne was magnificent, in his intent and technique. The Belgian ploughed through two defenders, before Mahrez blazed into the side-netting when Foden was free.
Guardiola went thermonuclear, delivering a pop-eyed rant at the Algerian. 
As the merry mayhem continued, De Bruyne arced a saucepot pass to release Foden who dragged wide. 
Waste this many chances when Benzema, though, is on the prowl and you are always likely to pay for it. 
So it proved, when Modric won a feisty tackle and Ferland Mendy centred from deep on the left where the deadly Frenchman wrapped his leg across Oleksandr Zinchenko’s body and steered a volley in off the post.   
Vinicius Jr netted on 55 minutes to make it 3-2Credit: Reuters
Bernardo Silva lashed home to send the home fans wildCredit: Reuters
Benzema’s outrageous Panenka penalty keeps Real Madrid alive in the tieCredit: Reuters
Real’s defenders seemed to have ignored any half-time instructions from Ancelotti to, you know, maybe not be completely all over the shop.
Militao waved through Mahrez, who fired against the post, Foden’s weak follow-up effort cleared by Carvajal.
Foden did not have to wait long, though. As Real got stung trying to play out from the back, Fernandinho pounced, played a one-two and centred for the England man to net with a downward header.
Fernandinho’s glory was short-lived, Vinicius beating him with a dummied nutmeg on the halfway line and sprinting away on the angle to find the far corner for a stunning riposte. 
City’s fourth arrived when Zinchenko went down expecting a foul and Bernardo picked up the loose ball, looked up, spotted a gap and walloped it into the top corner. 
This one brought the house down. For the want of anything more useful to do, Guardiola started cheerleading manically.  
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There was no suggestion whatsoever that it would end 4-2 – and so Aymeric Laporte headed an attempted clearance on to his own hand, ref Istvan Kovacs pointed to the spot and Benzema clipped home with casual cruelty. 
It was his ninth goal in four Champions League games and his 46th of the season overall. 
Perhaps it helps City that they have scrapped the away goals rule. Not that you’d bet against Real winning the second leg 5-4. 
So from Madchester to Madrid we go. And don’t expect it to get any saner.  More

BT SPORT pundits have each picked a Champions League “Immortal XI” – with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in EVERY team. But across the XI’s from seven of BT’s most high profile pundits, only TWO Englishmen feature.
Cristiano Ronaldo makes all seven BT pundits’ ‘Immortal XI’Credit: AP
Lionel Messi joins Roanldo in all seven ‘Immortal XI’s’Credit: AFP
Looking back through the 30 years of the Champions League era, Ronaldo and Messi were ever-present in the teams selected by BT Pundits.
Former pros Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Owen Hargreaves, Glenn Hoddle and Steve McManaman all offered their expert opinions.
While the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Andres Iniesta and Xavi all featured regularly, two selections they all agreed on were Ronaldo and Messi.
CR7 has lifted the famous trophy FIVE times in his career, on four occasions with Real Madrid and once with Manchester United.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}GOATS CLASH .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Ronaldo and Messi’s 2021-22 stats compared but which GOAT rival comes out top?
Messi meanwhile has won Europe’s most prestigious competition four times, all in the colours of Barcelona.
Classy Italian defender Paolo Maldini is the only other player to feature in all seven ‘Immortal XI’s’.
But with three titles in the Champions League era, and two in the old European Cup days, you can see why.
One notable theme from the ‘Immortal XI’s’ was the lack of an English contingent, despite the success Prem clubs have enjoyed in the competition.
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Peter Crouch’s Champions League ‘Immortal XI’ features Steven Gerrard
Joe Cole’s side includes former Arsenal and Chelsea star Ashley Cole
Only two Three Lions feature in the seven XI’s, with Crouch picking former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard in the centre of his midfield.
Gerrard single-handedly dragged Liverpool back into the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, lifting the trophy in what is possibly the most famous Champions League final of all time.
Meanwhile Cole picked his namesake, Ashley Cole, at left-back in his XI.
The two played together at Chelsea, and Cole was instrumental in helping the Blues lift the trophy in 2012.
But the likes of John Terry and Wayne Rooney, both winners of the competition, went unpicked.
BT Sport pundits Champions League ‘Immortal XI’
Rio Ferdinand: Edwin van der Sar, Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Paolo Maldini, Roberto Carlos, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Clarence Seedorf, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho
Michael Owen: Gianluigi Buffon, Cafu, Ramos, Maldini, Carlos, Xavi, Iniesta, Gerrard, Zidane, Messi, Ronaldo 
Owen Hargreaves: Van der Sar, Alves, Ramos, Maldini, Carlos, Xavi, Iniesta, Seedorf, Zidane, Messi, Ronaldo
Glenn Hoddle: Buffon, Cafu, Cannavaro, Maldini, Carlos, Pirlo, Xavi, Zidane, Messi, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo
Steve McManaman: Neuer, Alves, Ramos, Maldini, Carlos, Makelele, Iniesta, Zidane, Messi, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo  More

KARIM BENZEMA scored a stunning Panenka penalty for Real Madrid against Manchester City to leave football fans drooling.The striker is in the form of his life and netted his second of the game from the spot.
Yep, of course. ❄️Of course Benzema delivered a panenka in a Champions League semi-final 😵This game really has it all! It’s now 4-3! #UCL pic.twitter.com/TMkdfmveuC— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2022

Karim Benzema beautifully chipped home a penalty to keep Real Madrid in the tieCredit: Getty
Man City keeper Ederson was beaten all ends up by BenzemaCredit: Getty
Benzema once again put on a masterclass for Real MadridCredit: News Group Nrewspapers Ltd
That brought his team to 4-3 down in the Champions League semi-final first leg clash in a thriller a the Etihad.
Ruben Dias was unfortunate to concede a penalty, with the ball hitting his head and then his arm.
But Benzema wasn’t bothered how the opportunity arose, and he stepped up to score past Ederson.
Benzema said: “I always have it in my head that if you don’t take a penalty, you will never miss a penalty.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}CITY 4 MADRID 3 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Semi-final in the balance after frantic SEVEN-GOAL thriller at Etihad
“That’s mental confidence and that’s all. I have a lot of confidence in myself… so I do it and it turns out well.”
Carlo Ancelotti said: “The way he did it surprised me a little bit.
“He has that kind of personality to take a penalty that is so spectacular”
It was the way he did it with such confidence that footie fans couldn’t get enough of.
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And let’s not forget he missed three out of his last four penalties, including TWO in the same game against Osasuna last week.
Dale Hank wrote on Twitter that the penalty was “pure utter filth”.
Gavin Cook posted that “to have the bottle to do that at 4-2 is absolutely sensational” before adding “what a player, what a man”.
Self-confessed Barcelona fan Nestor Martinez described it as the “coldest penalty in the biggest moment”.
Corey Taylor was thinking along the same lines when he wrote that the 34-year-old Frenchman was “as cold as ice”.
Keabetsoe Matshoge called Benzema “a different breed” adding that the penalty was “amazing”.
“Absolute class”, “overdosed on confidence” and “filthy penalty” were some of the other descriptions to the masterpiece.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’I JUST FROZE’ .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Tim Westwood ‘victims reveal they felt “dirty” after he performed sex acts’
The game finished 4-3, with Vinicius Junior adding to Benzema’s brace for Real Madrid.
Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva scored the goals for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Benzema has now scored 46 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Real Madrid and France this season. More

UNAI EMERY has hinted that Villarreal will copy Everton’s approach to Sunday’s Merseyside derby as his side aim to spring a surprise on Liverpool in their Champions League semi-final.The LaLiga giants stunned Bayern Munich to reach the last-four and will be hoping to shock the rampant Reds at Anfield.
Unai Emery has hinted his Villarreal will look to play deep and frustrate Liverpool in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield on Wednesday nightCredit: EPA
Former Arsenal boss Emery is no stranger to Jurgen Klopp’s attack-first, Gegenpressing tactics.
But he has hinted his Villarreal will employ a the low defensive block in a bid to frustrate Liverpool in the first leg.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Emery said: “The surprise factor is dwindling.
“That is no longer present, whoever reaches the Champions League semi-finals is there because they deserve it.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The 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“Liverpool know that we are in good European form, that we have been able to eliminate two great teams.
“They know it won’t be easy. They will feel they are favourites, that’s normal, but they will respect us.”
He gave a brief insight into his side’s tactical approach, adding: “I see a Liverpool that have improved.
“We face Liverpool in their best moment.
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“It’s true that against teams that retreat they can have more difficulties.”
Everton had just 17 per cent of the possession in Sunday’s derby as they aimed to keep the Reds out, the second-lowest in league history.
The Reds ultimately broke the Toffees down to keep their title bid alive – and Emery will hope his similar approach has a different result.
Although the Spaniard did concede: “They are prepared for it.”
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Sun.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}APOCALYPSE NOW .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Nuclear WW3 is a ‘REAL DANGER’ and UK ‘legitimate’ target, warns Putin chief
On Sunday, Klopp changed the game with an attacking substitution after bringing on striker Divock Origi for Naby Keita.
Origi was involved in the Reds’ first goal – Andrew Robertson’s header, his first strike in front of the Kop – and nodded home their second in the tense win. More

MANCHESTER CITY take on Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals first leg tonight – and it’s anyone’s guess who’ll come out on top.The Premier League leaders play the LaLiga champions-elect at the Etihad in the first leg before heading to the Bernabeu eight days later.

And if you’re thinking about having a punt on the game, good luck to you.
After all, there is absolutely nothing to split the two sides.
Both squads have injury and suspension issues in their defensive ranks ahead of the game, but both are in supreme form.
And to top it all off, the pair’s head-to-head record is IDENTICAL.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}REAL DRAMA .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}De Bruyne takes on Modric in huge Champions League semi-final clash
Man City and Real Madrid have faced off six times in the Champions League.
Both teams have won two matches apiece, with the other two drawn.
On top of that, both teams have scored seven goals apiece.
Historically, Real Madrid are the far superior side in this competition, winning the European Cup a record 13 times while City still await their first-ever crown at Europe’s top table.
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The clubs first faced off in the Champions League in the 2012-13 group stage.
Los Blancos won their home game 3-2 before the return fixture at the Etihad was drawn 1-1.
Real Madrid would reach the semi-finals that year, losing to Borussia Dortmund – who also topped their group – while City failed to win a single group match.
They next came to blows in the 2015-16 semi-finals – as Real snuck to a 1-0 aggregate win over two legs.
City were held 0-0 in Manchester before a Fernando own goal at the Bernabeu saw Los Blancos reach the final – which they won, beating Atletico Madrid on penalties.
And the two clubs met as recently as the Covid-affected 2019-20 season – with City winning the last 16 tie 4-2 on aggregate.
The Premier League side would crash out at the hands of Lyon in the quarters as their Champions League trophy drought rages on.
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Could 2021-22 be their year? They’ll have to fight past Real Madrid first to make history.
Then comes one of Liverpool or Villarreal, who play the first leg of their semi-final clash at Anfield on Wednesday night. More