A Cristiano Ronaldo-less Real Madrid team lacked some of its normal bite Tuesday against Manchester City in their UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg at the Etihad Stadium. Despite playing without one of the world's best, Real Madrid created more chances, held more possession and generally looked like the better side. A few late saves from Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, however, preserved a 0-0 draw, giving the Sky Blues an advantage in the second leg.
This being the first Champions League semifinal in Manchester City history, the Etihad was predictably raucous, especially in the match's early going. The club even distributed flags to supporters and spelled out "CITY" in giant letters in the Etihad stands.
It was quite possibly the best ever crowd at the Etihad, and it seemed to have some affect on Real Madrid. Los Blancos were not very active in the first half. In many ways, it was a slog. But it was an even slog, because -- regardless of the crowd -- City looked far from its best.
Madrid turned up the heat in the second half, exposing the gulf between the two sides. Gareth Bale, who spearheaded Madrid's attack in Ronaldo's absence, seemed to have more room to work. The more open he played, the better Madrid played. By match's end, Madrid held 55 percent of possession and took 13 shots -- three on target -- compared to City's four.
That should have been enough for Madrid to score and take an away goal into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. But Hart held City down in goal with his typical brilliant play. He made three saves on the day, but two stand out. Madrid midfielder Casemiro put his head on a corner in the 79th minute, forcing Hart to make a flailing kick-save while falling backward..
The goalie's biggest moment came in the 82nd. Off another corner, Pepe was inexplicably left unmarked and chested the ball to his boots -- only feet in front of Hart. Pepe was only able to get half a shot off, as Hart slid into the ball and cleared it from immediate danger.
Hart now has a clean sheet in his last three Champions League matches at the Etihad.
"We've set it up for a good, old-fashioned rumble at the Bernabeu," Hart said, according to ESPNFC. "We've got a brilliant squad that's finally coming to fruition, in terms that the majority are fit now. In fact, everyone is fit."
The same can't be said for Madrid, which lost Ronaldo after a late fitness test. He didn't play against Rayo Vallecano earlier in the week, but manager Zinedine Zidane insisted he would play against City. Los Blancos undoubtedly would have been stronger in attack with Ronaldo, and it may need him to blow past City in the second leg. Conventional wisdom says he'll be ready when the second leg kicks off next Wednesday, but conventional wisdom said he'd be ready for Tuesday's match, too.
The scoreless draw plays into City's hands in the second leg. With Madrid unable to get an away goal, all City needs to advance is to score at least once and get at least a tie. But while City holds the mathematical advantage, Real Madrid has the home-pitch advantage. With Madrid needing goals to advance, expect a much more open and exciting match than what we got on Tuesday.
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