Champions League Live: Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
Stunning long-distance targets from Vinícius Júnior and Kevin De Bruyne and a few gorgeous saves from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Ederson final week in Madrid imply Real Madrid and Manchester City have all the things to play for on Wednesday.
Last week was not only a collision of nice groups, although: It was additionally a collision of concepts, Rory Smith wrote:
“This Champions League semifinal was, on a macro stage, at all times going to be solid not simply as a tussle between previous glory and new cash, the institution and the aspirant, however as a conceptual collision, too. Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid is inherently improvisational and player-centric; Guardiola believes, greater than something, within the energy of his collective, his system. It is free jazz towards orchestral association. (The rating, after the primary of two legs, is 1-1; no sweeping conclusions on scant proof can but be drawn.)
“For all their philosophical variations, what was hanging about this sport was simply how conscious each groups have been of the opposite’s strengths, their capability to inflict harm. That, greater than something, may need been the enduring lesson of their encounter in a semifinal final season: Madrid acutely aware of simply how good City may be; City acutely aware {that a} crew may be nearly as good because it likes towards Madrid and nonetheless lose.”
Tonight demands a winner, though, no matter what — and how long — it takes.
