Player Ratings as Manchester City defeat Real Madrid

Manchester City returned to European football and finished off Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League round of 16.

On a massive European night, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City showed up and defeated one of Europe’s strongest sides in Real Madrid to book a place in the quarterfinals of this season’s Champions League.

In a tension-filled atmosphere, City made the most of suspended Los Blancos captain Sergio Ramos’ absence to score two goals off mistakes from Raphaël Varane and book a place in Lisbon against Olympique Lyon.

Defense

Ederson (GK): Made several important saves and played a role in City’s distribution to break Madrid’s press. (7.5)

Kyle Walker (RB): Went on a slaloming run that Neymar or Lionel Messi would have been proud of, and defensively shut Eden Hazard completely out of the match with his pace. (8)

Fernandinho (CB): Looked very comfortable next to Laporte, and given the Eric García situation, he should once again be first choice moving forward. (7)

Aymeric Laporte (CB): City’s best central defender on the day, making blocks and tackles at critical moments. Although he did make one mistake to Benzema, he quickly made up for it by getting back in front and limiting Madrid to just one goal. (7.5)

João Cancelo (LB): Looked a real danger bombing down the left hand side with marauding runs, however, he was the primary player at fault in allowing Benzema’s goal by losing track of Rodrygo, who put in a pinpoint cross. (6.5)

Midfield

Rodri (CDM): Made a mistake with a giveaway to Benzema and was beaten on the header for the goal, but was excellent at controlling the tempo and seeing the game out in the second half. (7)

İlkay Gündoğan (CAM): Because City won, his error will be lost to history, but he fluffed the most simple of short passes to Sterling that seemed a sure goal when the game was still level. He looked shaky at times, but was part of a midfield unit that saw out the second half in control. (6)

Kevin de Bruyne (CAM): Often led the City charge and put in several stunning through balls that on another day could have been an assist. It may not have had the flash of his first-leg performance, but De Bruyne played well today. (7.5)

Attack

Phil Foden (RW): Started as a false nine and made an impact on the game, but could never quite find the end product before being subbed off. (6.5)

Gabriel Jesus (ST): A Man of the Match performance, a statement from the Brazilian, and a brilliant result for City. After scoring the equalizer in the first leg, Jesus stepped up again to rob Varane in his own box and assist Sterling’s opener before firing home from a tight angle past Courtois to seal the victory. (8.5)

Raheem Sterling (LW): Looked dangerous throughout, forcing multiple saves out of Courtois, but his opening goal was massive for the direction of the game, even if it was a tap-in. (8)

Substitutes

Bernardo Silva (RW): Came in and immediately showed work rate on both ends of the pitch, and had a dangerous chance late on. (6.5)

David Silva (CAM): In his final appearance at the Etihad, it almost seemed romantic that he would fire home a dangerous free kick to guarantee City’s passage, but it just flew over the bar. (6)

Nicolás Otamendi (CB): Came on in the dying embers to prevent any absolute meltdowns. (6)

Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid

By J.C. Gonzalez | Aug 7, 2020

Manchester City returned to European football and finished off Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League round of 16.

Defense

Midfield

More from Game Review

Attack