The combined score of Manchester City in 14 victories at the Etihad Stadium this season is 49-7, as Pep Guardiola‘s team inches closer to a potential triple of the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
For the English champions, however, nothing is more important than taking control of Europe for the first time.
A late collapse in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu saw the Spanish giants go on to win the competition for the 14th time, after Manchester City faced heartbreak versus Madrid at the same level of the campaign the previous season.
However, neither team could separate themselves in Madrid, so home advantage may decide the outcome of the return leg.
Kevin De Bruyne and Vinicius Junior each scored fantastic goals from outside the penalty area to offset the other’s opening score.
At the moment, we feel unstoppable at the Etihad, Grealish told BT Sport.
We came here tonight to try and win, but I think coming back from being down a goal to do so demonstrates our character.In the end, it was a just outcome.
City have gone 21 games, across all competitions, without a loss.
However, Madrid was able to cut off the supply line to 51-goal striker Erling Haaland, so they were not at their most fluid.
Before Real’s sucker punch on minute 36, when Vinicius raced forward and blasted into the top corner, the visitors had controlled possession.
After the half, however, City inverted the positions as they struck back just when it seemed like they were on the ropes, and De Bruyne hammered the ball past his Belgian international teammate Thibaut Courtois.
“They scored when we were superior. We scored when they were better, according to Guardiola. “Tight match, Bernabeu, semi-finals are always challenging. 1-1, and we play our folks in the championship on the following Wednesday.
English football has been dominated by City under Guardiola. They are about to win their fifth Premier League championship in as many years.
On the European stage, they have yet to duplicate that success. Unlike Madrid, who has a wealth of experience, City has only ever made it to one Champions League final.
They have such high demands. They are excellent and possess both experience and quality, added Guardiola.
“Now that they are traveling to Manchester, we will examine how we might improve.
“These kind of games are similar to playoffs when they are played. You can learn a lot from the first game in the second, and maybe we can use that knowledge to improve our offense and defense.
