The Champions League returns on Tuesday evening, and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City finalists beaten last year, take center stage by hosting Atlético Madrid at the Etihad Stadium. Both of these clubs were champions of their respective domestic leagues last year, but with City again top of the Premier League, Atleti is looking to cede the title to city rivals in La Liga.
Guardiola and his counterpart Diego Simeone suffered in the final of this match with their current clubs. Still, City remains the favorite to go the distance this time – although it will be a massive test for Cityzens in the last eight. At the weekend, they warmed up for the tie with a routine victory over Burnley, while the Spanish side hammered Alaves to claim six straight wins in all competitions.
City topped their group in the previous round, while Atletico was second in theirs. The champions of this tie will advance to meet either Chelsea or Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals following last month’s draw.
Man City v Atletico Madrid
HALF TIME! City dominated possession but was unable to break Atletico’s defense (0-0)
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Stones, Laporte, Ake, Cancelo; Rodrigue, Gundogan; Bernardo, Mahrez, De Bruyne; Sterling
Atlético Madrid XI: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Savic, Felipe, Reinildo, Lodi; Mr. Llorente, Kondogbia, Koke; Griezmann, Joao Felix
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Fifty-six minutes: De Bruyne goes to goal this time, and Oblak is on his left intelligently to save! He chokes the ball at the second moment of the request.
The City still has a shot on target!
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
54 min: Free kick for Manchester City 30 meters from the goal. Is a set piece their way out of the impasse?
Well, they’re trying something pretty cute! De Bruyne plays short to Gundogan, and he hands it to Mahrez, who is then fouled 10 yards closer! Another free kick. This time it’s about 22 yards from the goal.
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
52 mins: De Bruyne gets the better of Mahrez, but Felipe clears. Atletico breaks again, and they have three advancing! Koke tries to find Llorente with a perfect pass, but he has to give it to Felix on the other side! Llorente recovers it at the edge of the area, but his cross/shot is straight in the arms of Ederson.
A waste. Atletico already looks much more powerful.
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
50 mins: A sign of things to come? The public is there, and there is already more energy in this second half. This will play into the hands of Manchester City.
The hosts have another corner.
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
48 min: Best chance of the game for Man City! De Bruyne whips a ball into Gundogan. The German pivots and curls to the far corner, which Sterling tries to deflect toward the goal, but it’s comprehensive. They took a nickname from an Atletico player and kicked out for a corner.
Atletico then suddenly breaks from the resulting corner! Griezmann sprints flawlessly, and there’s no one to cover! He slows down, though, and opts to find Felix on the left but misses the pass, and it’s off for a throw.
It was a chance for both sides. Better already!
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
47 mins: Oh, hello! Llorente is behind in the first seconds of the second half. He blows the finisher into Ederson’s arms. Then the flag goes up.
There were about 10 yards offside. Ridiculous that the game continues.
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Forty-six minutes: Well, the players are back. Here we go again!
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Return match to come next. Let’s hope for a little more action.
Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Aimless, yes. But it’s sugar-coating that half of football. Tactically, it’s fascinating. But aesthetically entertaining, it could have been better.
HT: Man City 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Half-time: There is no additional time at the end of the first half, and it tells you everything you need to know. Almost nothing happened. At all.
Atletico Madrid will be pleased. Manchester City with some thoughts.
Man City vs. Atletico Madrid LIVE: Champions League updates – City frustrated with disciplined Atleti at Etihad
