Explainers

MANCHESTER CITY and Real Madrid played out a truly brilliant draw in the first leg of their titanic Champions League clash.Bernardo Silva had given Man City the lead less than two minutes into the game at the Bernabeu, catching Andriy Lunin sleeping.But Real Madrid fought back to lead with two goals in two minutes – the first a Ruben Dias own goal from a heavily deflected Eduardo Camavinga shot and the second a rapid counter from Rodrygo.Los Blancos were in charge before Phil Foden fired a rocket into the top corner, with Josko Gvardiol then scoring a stunner of his own to give City the lead.Real Madrid then struck back themselves, Federico Valverde brilliantly volleying home to share the spoils and set up a tense second leg.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERCity enter busy schedule
Aside from their Champions League exploits, Man City have to juggle three competitions over their next three games.
It means a busy fixture list but Pep Guaridola would not have it any other way.
Playing lots of games means you are being successful as a manager after all.

Copy linkCopiedAll-square between two of football’s greats
The spoils were shared as Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola squared off in Spain this evening.
Both managers may feel that their side could have won the game but a draw was probably a fair result.
They will do battle again now in the second leg in Manchester.
The Italian seemed a bit perplexed with whatever Guardiola had to say to him at the final whistle.
Credit: AFP
Copy linkCopiedFoden continues stand-out season
Phil Foden scored a stunning goal this evening to draw Man City level in the second half tonight.
It was enough to see the midfielder awarded with the man of the match award in Spain.
Man City fans will be hoping the injury that saw him hobble off is nothing to worry about as he is integral to remainder of their season.
There seems to be nothing wrong with his selfie-arm, that is for sure.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedForm is temporary, class is permanent
As ever, Toni Kroos pulled the strings in the heart of midfield for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
His ability to link play and pick the right passes allows Bellingham to venture forward.
They did seem a bit lacking without the influential Luka Modric alongside him in the middle.

Copy linkCopiedSilva lining for Pep in Madrid
Bernardo Silva came back into the side this evening and showed his true worth to Pep Guardiola.
From the first few minutes when he caught out Lunin at his near post to give the visitors the lead to the very end of the game.
Real Madrid struggled to deal with the silky skills of the Portuguese playmaker.

Copy linkCopiedFT: Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
You would have to say that a draw was a fair result tonight.
Taking into consideration the chances created, nothing could separate the two sides.
Hopefully, we will see more of the same in the return leg.

Copy linkCopiedFT: Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
The referee brings the game to a close in Spain.
It finishes all square between these two powerhouses.
What an entertaining game that proved to be.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 3-3 Man City
90+2. Man City will still fancy their chances in this tie.
Going back to The Etihad needing a win to progress.
It offers the prospect of a special night in Manchester.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 3-3 Man City
90. Modric swings a ball into the back post, trying to pick out Bellingham.
It has to be dealt with as it is knocked behind for a corner.
The hosts work it to the edge of the box but Carvajal’s shot is nowhere near the goal.
We are going to have four minutes added.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 3-3 Man City
88. Brahim Diaz wins the ball off Alvarez and looks to counter.
Bernardo Silva takes one for the team as he chops him down.
Real Madrid had numbers on the break there.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 3-3 Man City
86. Foden seems to have picked up an injury for City.
Guardiola is taking no chances and is looking to change the youngster with Alvarez replacing him.
That will be a concern for Man City fans to see.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 3-3 Man City
84. The question on everyone’s lips now is whether either side can find one more goal.
This game has been the sort you never want to end.
In addition, we have seem real contenders for ‘goal of the quarter-finals’ in Spain.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 3-3 Man City
82. What a final ten minutes or so we have now.
Man City were looking comfortable and seemed like they were going to claim a stunning victory.
Madrid draw level out of the blue and now it is Pep Guardiola’s side who are trying to hold on.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 3-3 Man City
80. Out of absolutely nothing, Real Madrid are level.
Vinicius Junior hangs a cross up to the back post.
Valverde meets it on the volley and drills it low into the far corner.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 2-3 Man City
78. This was exactly the type of game we were hoping for tonight.
Bellingham has been quiet in this game in the main, Real Madrid have missed his creativity and goals.
The England midfielder has scored over 20 goals in his first season for the Spaniards.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 2-3 Man City
76. This has been the proverbial ‘game of two halves’.
Real Madrid felt they had the game in their hands coming out after the interval.
Two stunning strikes by Man City have changed the whole complexion of this match.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 2-3 Man City
74. Man City really have the chance to turn the screw here.
Madrid need to get forward and try and find an equaliser at the very least.
It means the visitors can pick them off on the break and inflict further punishment on Ancelotti’s side.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 2-3 Man City
72. What a strike by Gvardiol.
The ball is laid off to him by Foden, he knocks it out in front of him and bends one in the far corner from outside the box.
Gvardiol has silenced the Santiago Bernabeu.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 2-2 Man City
70. You would think Real Madrid have to go for this more now.
They will not fancy their chances of going to Manchester level and getting the result they need.
Last season, they got battered at The Etihad.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 2-2 Man City
68. The warnings were there for Real Madrid.
Man City were starting to dominate the ball in the final third.
That goal by Phil Foden was deserving of winning any game.
In the words of a famous ex-pundit, ‘take a bow son’.
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 2-2 Man City
66. Bernardo Silva plays it into Stones on the edge of the box, who immediately lays it off to Foden.
He takes one touch to get the ball in front of him before rifling the ball into the top corner of the goal.
There was no stopping that one, Lunin stood no chance.
Copy linkCopiedGoal – Phil Foden (Man City)
Copy linkCopiedReal Madrid 2-1 Man City
64. The visitors could really do with a player like Doku on the pitch now to run at this Madrid defence.
Grealish tries to get to the byline and wins a corner.
The ball is cleared and Vinicius Junior breaks away with the ball.
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LEANDRO TROSSARD scored a smart equaliser to keep Arsenal’s Champions League dream alive.The Gunners – in the last-8 of the iconic competition for the first time since 2009-10 – had lead early through Bukayo Saka, who curled in a brilliant strike.But the home side suffered a mini-collapse with Bayern star Serge Gnabry striking back before Harry Kane then scored at the Emirates, again, with a penalty.Arsenal looked dead and buried for a period but Leandro Trossard scored from the bench to put the second leg on a knife edge.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThat’s all from the Emirates
Action-packed. High-paced. Dramatic. Controversial. Enthralling. The Champions League is back, and Arsenal are a part of it.
This quarter-final is still in the balance after a 2-2 draw at the Emirates, and these two giants of the game will reconvene next Wednesday for the second leg in Germany.
We’ll be at the Allianz Arena to see how it all pans out, and you can join us for every exciting moment.
Goodnight.
Copy linkCopiedTuchel livid with ref explanation
While the football world were busy debating the penalty claim incident involving Bukayo Saka at the end of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich, it appears all of us missed another much more controversial.
Unnoticed by commentators and reporters at the time, midway through the second half, Gabriel picked up the ball to replace a free-kick passed to him by David Raya along the six-yard line.
However, a second earlier, referee Glenn Nyberg had blown his whistle, meaning that Raya’s pass was in-play, prompting Harry Kane and co. to appeal for a spotkick.
Afterwards, a furious Tuchel told the assembled press:
It is a huge mistake. It’s a crazy situation, but they put the ball down, he whistles, he kicks the ball free and the defender picks the ball up in his hands. What makes us really angry is the explanation on the field, he told our players ‘it is a kid’s mistake’, and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarter-final. This is a horrible, horrible explanation.Thomas TuchelTNT Sports

Copy linkCopiedArteta rues early White miss
Mikel Arteta was delighted with the way his Arsenal side started the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, and believes they would have had one foot in the semis had Ben White bagged a first half chance.
The defender was denied at point blank range by Manuel Neuer shortly after Bukayo Saka had opened the scoring, and the the Gunners boss believed it was the incident which swung the game.
The game had different moments. We started really well and were dominant, we didn’t concede anything. We scored a really good goal and then after that is the moment of the game when Ben [White] is in front of [Manuel] Neuer. If it was 2-0 it would have been a very different game. I have a lot of belief we can go there and beat them. We have to prepare really well.Mikel ArtetaTNT Sports

Copy linkCopiedExtra! Read all about it!
Attentions have already turned to next Wednesday’s second leg at the Allianz Arena, but let’s recap on tonight’s events with Charlie Wyett’s match report of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final.
It was anything but perfect and Arsenal still have a hell of a lot of work to do. But on a night which threatened to go horribly wrong, Mikel Arteta and his team gave themselves a chance of squeezing through to the semi-finals – despite Bukayo Saka being denied a late penalty.Charlie WyettThe Sun

Copy linkCopiedKane had studied Raya’s game
Harry Kane scored another penalty against Arsenal, and then afterwards admitted that he had been studying David Raya when it comes to facing spotkicks.
The Bayern striker rolled the ball home after the Gunners keeper went to ground early during his stuttered run-up, silencing thousands of booing fans in the process.
It was a tough game. Of course we are never happy when we don’t win. Arsenal are having a good go at trying to win the league and they are top for a reason. I had done some research of [David Raya’s] game against Porto so it was nice to see him go down early and make it easier for me.”Harry KaneTNT Sports

Copy linkCopiedSaka in good company with Henry
Bukayo Saka’s evening may have ended in frustration with his stoppage time appeal for a penalty turned away, but it started so, so well.
With his wonderful opener, the England international took his Champions League goal involvements to eight for the season (four goals and four assists).
Only Thierry Henry with 10 in 2002-03 and 11 in 2003-04 has ever recorded more for Arsenal in Europe’s stellar competition.

Copy linkCopiedDraw a good base for Bayern
The bad news for Arsenal is that Bayern Munich have progressed from six of the eight previous Champions League ties in which they have drawn the first leg away from home.
The good news for Arsenal is that on the two occasions in which they failed to so – against Milan in the 2006-07 quarter-final, and Liverpool in the 2018-19 last 16 – their triumphant opponents went on to win the competition.
Copy linkCopiedMatch stats from the Emirates
Leandro Trossard’s 76th minute equaliser was the game’s first attempt on target since Harry Kane’s converted penalty after 32 minutes.

Copy linkCopiedFull time – Arsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich
The first leg ends in an enthralling draw.
A game that swung from one end to the other, and the scoring followed suit.
Arsenal led early through Bukayo Saka but soon found themselves behind when Serge Gnabry equalised and Harry Kane converted a penalty.
In a second half high on energy but low on chances, substitutes Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard combined for a Gunners equaliser that leaves this tie in the balance ahead of next week’s second leg.

Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich
90+5. Bukayo Saka skips around Manuel Neuer and goes down!!
Penalty to Arsenal!? No!!
Saka is insistent. Sixty-thousand Arsenal fans are insistent. The commentators are insistent. But referee Glenn Nyberg waves play-on and nobody watching can believe it.
Replays show that there is definitely contact as the Bayern goalkeeper meets the Arsenal forward, but is it because Saka flicks out his leg into the shin of Neuer?
Controversy right at the end.

Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich 
90+3. Finally, Bayern decide to drop some players back into a defensive unit.
A draw certainly keeps this one in the balance heading to Munich for the return.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich
90. Coman hits the post!
As the board goes up to signal five minutes of stoppage time, the Bayern substitute flicks Musiala’s centre through the legs of Raya at the near post and against the base of the woodwork.
Bayern so close to a first leg winner!
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich – Partey yellow card
89. Tactical foul klaxon.
Thomas Partey is carded for bringing down Jamal Musiala after the Bayern forward threatened to break free from his marker.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich
87. Gone are the days when these ties used to see one side shutting up shop for the last 25 minutes, this will be end-to-end to the final whistle.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich – Arsenal substitute
84. Saka is penalised for a foul on Musiala, although there wasn’t much the Arsenal player could have done to get out of the way.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey is on for Kai Havertz.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich 
82. Saka and Davies continue to battle it out for pace down the right flank.
This time, Saka comes out on top, and dinks a delightful delivery across the face of goal after exchanging passes with Odegaard.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, nobody gambles on the cross and the opportunity passes.
It’s time like this you want a traditional nine rather than a false one.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich 
80. Into the last ten!
Bayern haven’t settled for a draw either, and push forward with Coman on the right.
The substitute does well to cut inside, and then ruins it with a weak shot straight at Raya.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich 
78. There’s no sign of this tie settling down – even with the prospect of another 90 minutes next Wednesday.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich 
76. Arsenal are back on level terms!
And it’s hats off to Mikel Arteta and his substitutes!
Leandro Trossard is the one that scores the equaliser, but it’s all down to the incredible footwork of Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian receives Bukayo Saka’s pass, tricks his way past one defender, skips inside another, and then cushions a pass into the path of Trossard, who cooly sweeps home.
The Emirates is now bouncing – and Arsenal aren’t finished yet!

Copy linkCopiedSuper subs deliver!

Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-2 Bayern Munich 
74. Are Arsenal preparing themselves for a final burst at Bayern?
The players are up for it. The manager is up for it. And the crowd is certainly up for it.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-2 Bayern Munich 
72. There has not been a single shot on target in the second half which says a lot about how Thomas Tuchel and his team have nullified Arsenal since going ahead.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-2 Bayern Munich – Bayern Munich substitution
70. Sure enough, Gnabry hobbles away to the dressing room for treatment, and it’s Raphael Guerreiro on in his place.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-2 Bayern Munich 
69. Here’s a potential blow for Bayern.
So soon after deciding to replace Leroy Sane, Thomas Tuchel is now faced with the prospect of losing Serge Gnabry.
The former Arsenal forward has picked up an injury, which is no surprise considering the amount of running he has done on his return to North London.
Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-2 Bayern Munich – Arsenal double substitution
67. And two changes for the Gunners!
Mikel Arteta sends for attackers Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard, replacing Gabriel Martinelli and deep-lying midfielder Jorginho.
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