Man City saw their Champions League encounter swing one way and then the other against Real Madrid, and ultimately on the night they couldn’t be separated.
The 3-3 draw was full of incident, with both sides scoring some spectacular goals.
Pep Guardiola’s side might consider themselves the favourites to go through bearing in mind the second leg is at the Etihad Stadium, but they’ll need to be much better defensively if they want to make it to the semi-finals.
Man City player ratings
Stefan Ortega (5) – Couldn’t do anything about the first goal after Eduardo Camavinga’s shot took a wicked deflection, nor Fede Valverde’s vicious volley, but should’ve commanded his area much better and come out quicker to deal with threat from Rodrygo for the second goal.
Manuel Akanji (4) – Consistently beaten for pace down his side of the pitch which is unlikely to have impressed Pep Guardiola, who’ll surely be wanting to see Kyle Walker back for the return leg.
John Stones (5) – Was often outmuscled or out manoeuvred by Real Madrid’s forwards, and for a player of his experience, that’s not good enough. Was marginally better when moved further forward by Guardiola.
Ruben Dias (7) – Clattered Jude Bellingham early on to ruffle a few feathers and held things together at the back for the visitors.
Josko Gvardiol (6) – A functional performance without being anything to write home about, though his first-ever City goal will be talked about for years. What a strike!
Rodri (6) – Another player who had an understated performance but a necessary one to keep Los Blancos at bay during some key moments of the game. Unlucky with a back post header in the second half.
Mateo Kovacic (3) – Another who didn’t really stamp his authority on the game enough to make an impact. May have played himself out of the second leg if De Bruyne is considered well enough to start.
Bernardo Silva (5) – A superb free-kick to open the scoring and kept himself busy, but did little else of note on the night. Kept quiet by his opposite number for long periods.
Phil Foden (8) – On fire in recent games, he was quiet in the first half before coming alive in the second. An incredible goal brought City level at 2-2, and what looked like a nasty injury towards the end will leave City on tenterhooks until the nature of the problem is confirmed.
Jack Grealish (5) – Was industrious, particularly in the second period, but offered little in the way of game-changing ability. Huffed and puffed and couldn’t blow the house down.
Erling Haaland (5) – Once again the Norwegian marksman struggled in the big game. Unable to find the target the last time the two teams played in the Champions League, he barely had a sniff at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Julian Alvarez (3) – Barely had time to affect the game after coming on for Foden.