Kevin de Bruyne’s second-half goal gave Manchester City victory as they overcame Atletico Madrid’s typically fierce resistance in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Etihad Stadium.
Diego Simeone’s side performed with their trademark defensive discipline, restricting City to very few opportunities until De Bruyne pounced to make the breakthrough with 20 minutes left.
Phil Foden, on as a substitute, produced the moment of magic to unlock Atletico with a perfect pass through the legs of Reinildo for De Bruyne to slot past goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
It was the decisive moment in the tightest of games but City manager Pep Guardiola’s wild celebration illustrated just how much it means to take a lead, even if slender, to Madrid for the second leg on 13 April.
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Foden introduction sparks City
It was clear from the opening moments this was going to be a night for patience from City as Atletico, to no-one’s great surprise, strung a bank of five defenders across the pitch and invited Guardiola’s side to break them down.
For the first 45 minutes it worked to perfection as the hosts barely laid a glove on the Spanish champions, who protected keeper Oblak with the diligence and desire Simeone demands.
It was actually Atletico who threatened with a couple of breaks early in the second half, but City eventually managed to impose themselves and become more of a threat.
De Bruyne saw a free-kick well saved by Oblak and Aymeric Laporte headed over from a good position following a corner.
But it was the introduction of Foden that finally allowed City to spread some stardust on proceedings.
He showed glorious control and vision to nutmeg Reinildo, allowing De Bruyne to fire low past Oblak to ignite what had been a tense, largely subdued atmosphere inside Etihad Stadium.
City could not add a second with De Bruyne denied by a block on the line from Stefan Savic, but any lead is precious against an Atletico side who have made a speciality of frustrating Premier League giants in the past.
Liverpool found that out in 2020 when they lost both legs as holders in the last 16, while Manchester United were also eliminated at the same stage this season.
“We played an incredible top side who are difficult to face, but it is a good result,” said Guardiola.
“We had chances to score a second and third. It is not easy to face a team with a lot of experience in this tournament. We will go there to score and try to win again.”
Simeone marched off in defiant fashion at the final whistle and the Argentine will rightly feel Atletico are still in this tie – it would be folly to dismiss Simeone or his durable Champions League campaigners.
The onus though, is now on them to attack in the return leg.
“It is a bad result because we lost 1-0 and we were looking to win,” Simeone said.
“It is clear we were playing against an extraordinary opponent. The numbers and statistics speak for themselves and they play in a very dynamic way. We had to suffer but we have to go to Madrid now and use the tools we have at our disposal.
“We need to be better but we are still in the tie. Let’s see if we can have the ball more in the second leg and create more difficulties for our opponents but that comes with being calm and having the collective defensive effort.”
However, alterations to Atletico’s approach may well suit City more than having to break down the red and white wall of resistance that made their lives so difficult until that important De Bruyne strike on his 50th Champions League appearance for the club.
Player of the match
AkéNathan Aké
with an average of 7.34
Manchester City
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Squad number6Player nameAké
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Squad number47Player nameFoden -
Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne -
Squad number9Player nameGabriel Jesus -
Squad number10Player nameGrealish
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Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva -
Squad number27Player nameJoão Cancelo
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Squad number5Player nameStones -
Squad number26Player nameMahrez -
Squad number16Player nameRodri
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Squad number31Player nameEderson -
Squad number14Player nameLaporte -
Squad number8Player nameGündogan -
Squad number7Player nameSterling
Atlético Madrid
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Squad number13Player nameOblak
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Squad number7Player nameJoão Félix
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Squad number14Player nameMarcos Llorente
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Squad number6Player nameKoke
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Squad number8Player nameGriezmann
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Squad number23Player nameReinildo
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Squad number18Player nameFelipe
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Squad number4Player nameKondogbia
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Squad number12Player nameRenan Lodi
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Squad number15Player nameSavic
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Squad number24Player nameVrsaljko
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Squad number5Player namede Paul
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Squad number10Player nameCorrea
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Squad number19Player nameMatheus Cunha
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Squad number11Player nameLemar
Line-ups
Man City
Formation 4-3-3
- 31EdersonBooked at 90mins
- 27Cancelo
- 5Stones
- 14Laporte
- 6Aké
- 17De Bruyne
- 16Rodri
- 8GündoganSubstituted forGrealishat 68′minutes
- 26MahrezSubstituted forFodenat 68′minutes
- 20Bernardo Silva
- 7SterlingSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 68′minutesBooked at 85mins
Substitutes
- 9Gabriel Jesus
- 10Grealish
- 11Zinchenko
- 13Steffen
- 25Fernandinho
- 33Carson
- 47Foden
- 56Egan-Riley
- 79Mbete
Atl Madrid
Formation 5-3-2
- 13Oblak
- 24VrsaljkoBooked at 90mins
- 15Savic
- 18Felipe
- 23Mandava
- 12Lodi dos Santos
- 14LlorenteSubstituted forSantos Carneiro Da Cunhaat 60′minutes
- 6KokeSubstituted forde Paulat 60′minutesBooked at 69mins
- 4Kondogbia
- 8GriezmannSubstituted forCorreaat 60′minutesBooked at 83mins
- 7SequeiraSubstituted forLemarat 81′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Lecomte
- 5de Paul
- 9Suárez
- 10Correa
- 11Lemar
- 17Wass
- 19Santos Carneiro Da Cunha
- 22Hermoso
- 26Serrano Martínez
- 31Gómez
- 47Cámara Silva
- Referee:
- István Kovács
- Attendance:
- 52,018
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester City 1, Atletico Madrid 0.
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Second Half ends, Manchester City 1, Atletico Madrid 0.
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Ederson (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.
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Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid).
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Foul by Jack Grealish (Manchester City).
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Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid).
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Attempt blocked. Phil Foden (Manchester City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
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Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by João Cancelo.
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Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.
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Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card.
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Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid).
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Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid).
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Substitution, Atletico Madrid. Thomas Lemar replaces João Félix.
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Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.
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Kevin de Bruyne has scored six goals and created five in his last 12 knockout stage matches in the Champions LeagueKevin de Bruyne’s second-half goal gave Manchester City victory as they overcame Atletico Madrid’s typically fierce resistance in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Etihad Stadium. Diego Simeone’s side performed with their trademark defensive discipline, restricting City to very few opportunities until De Bruyne pounced to make the breakthrough with 20 minutes left. Phil Foden, on as a substitute, produced the moment of magic to unlock Atletico with a perfect pass through the legs of Reinildo for De Bruyne to slot past goalkeeper Jan Oblak. It was the decisive moment in the tightest of games but City manager Pep Guardiola’s wild celebration illustrated just how much it means to take a lead, even if slender, to Madrid for the second leg on 13 April. Champions League – Man City & Liverpool win first legs’Man City get their hands dirty to edge Atletico”We will fight’ – title race intensifies as rival bosses focus on big match’It was like Foden was in a playground’Foden introduction sparks CityIt was clear from the opening moments this was going to be a night for patience from City as Atletico, to no-one’s great surprise, strung a bank of five defenders across the pitch and invited Guardiola’s side to break them down. For the first 45 minutes it worked to perfection as the hosts barely laid a glove on the Spanish champions, who protected keeper Oblak with the diligence and desire Simeone demands. It was actually Atletico who threatened with a couple of breaks early in the second half, but City eventually managed to impose themselves and become more of a threat. De Bruyne saw a free-kick well saved by Oblak and Aymeric Laporte headed over from a good position following a corner.But it was the introduction of Foden that finally allowed City to spread some stardust on proceedings. He showed glorious control and vision to nutmeg Reinildo, allowing De Bruyne to fire low past Oblak to ignite what had been a tense, largely subdued atmosphere inside Etihad Stadium. City could not add a second with De Bruyne denied by a block on the line from Stefan Savic, but any lead is precious against an Atletico side who have made a speciality of frustrating Premier League giants in the past.Liverpool found that out in 2020 when they lost both legs as holders in the last 16, while Manchester United were also eliminated at the same stage this season. “We played an incredible top side who are difficult to face, but it is a good result,” said Guardiola.”We had chances to score a second and third. It is not easy to face a team with a lot of experience in this tournament. We will go there to score and try to win again.”Simeone marched off in defiant fashion at the final whistle and the Argentine will rightly feel Atletico are still in this tie – it would be folly to dismiss Simeone or his durable Champions League campaigners. The onus though, is now on them to attack in the return leg. “It is a bad result because we lost 1-0 and we were looking to win,” Simeone said. “It is clear we were playing against an extraordinary opponent. The numbers and statistics speak for themselves and they play in a very dynamic way. We had to suffer but we have to go to Madrid now and use the tools we have at our disposal.”We need to be better but we are still in the tie. Let’s see if we can have the ball more in the second leg and create more difficulties for our opponents but that comes with being calm and having the collective defensive effort.”However, alterations to Atletico’s approach may well suit City more than having to break down the red and white wall of resistance that made their lives so difficult until that important De Bruyne strike on his 50th Champions League appearance for the club.Player of the matchAkéNathan Akéwith an average of 7.34Manchester CitySquad number6Player nameAkéSquad number47Player nameFodenSquad number17Player nameDe BruyneSquad number9Player nameGabriel JesusSquad number10Player nameGrealishSquad number20Player nameBernardo SilvaSquad number27Player nameJoão CanceloSquad number5Player nameStonesSquad number26Player nameMahrezSquad number16Player nameRodriSquad number31Player nameEdersonSquad number14Player nameLaporteSquad number8Player nameGündoganSquad number7Player nameSterlingAtlético MadridSquad number13Player nameOblakSquad number7Player nameJoão FélixSquad number14Player nameMarcos LlorenteSquad number6Player nameKokeSquad number8Player nameGriezmannSquad number23Player nameReinildoSquad number18Player nameFelipeSquad number4Player nameKondogbiaSquad number12Player nameRenan LodiSquad number15Player nameSavicSquad number24Player nameVrsaljkoSquad number5Player namede PaulSquad number10Player nameCorreaSquad number19Player nameMatheus CunhaSquad number11Player nameLemarLine-upsMan CityFormation 4-3-331Ederson27Cancelo5Stones14Laporte6Aké17De Bruyne16Rodri8Gündogan26Mahrez20Bernardo Silva7Sterling31EdersonBooked at 90mins27Cancelo5Stones14Laporte6Aké17De Bruyne16Rodri8GündoganSubstituted forGrealishat 68’minutes26MahrezSubstituted forFodenat 68’minutes20Bernardo Silva7SterlingSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 68’minutesBooked at 85minsSubstitutes9Gabriel Jesus10Grealish11Zinchenko13Steffen25Fernandinho33Carson47Foden56Egan-Riley79MbeteAtl MadridFormation 5-3-213Oblak24Vrsaljko15Savic18Felipe23Mandava12Lodi dos Santos14Llorente6Koke4Kondogbia8Griezmann7Sequeira13Oblak24VrsaljkoBooked at 90mins15Savic18Felipe23Mandava12Lodi dos Santos14LlorenteSubstituted forSantos Carneiro Da Cunhaat 60’minutes6KokeSubstituted forde Paulat 60’minutesBooked at 69mins4Kondogbia8GriezmannSubstituted forCorreaat 60’minutesBooked at 83mins7SequeiraSubstituted forLemarat 81’minutesSubstitutes1Lecomte5de Paul9Suárez10Correa11Lemar17Wass19Santos Carneiro Da Cunha22Hermoso26Serrano Martínez31Gómez47Cámara SilvaReferee:István KovácsAttendance:52,018Live TextMatch ends, Manchester City 1, Atletico Madrid 0.Second Half ends, Manchester City 1, Atletico Madrid 0.Ederson (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid).Foul by Jack Grealish (Manchester City).Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.Foul by Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid).Attempt blocked. Phil Foden (Manchester City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by João Cancelo.Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card.Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.Foul by Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid).Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Ángel Correa (Atletico Madrid).Substitution, Atletico Madrid. Thomas Lemar replaces João Félix.Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.’You cannot just walk away, they’ll kill you’: A gritty, multi-perspective documentary about county lines drug dealing in rural Devon’Covid was a hoax, and so is the war’: They didn’t believe Covid was real – and now they think the war in Ukraine is staged