Manchester City took a slim lead into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Athletico Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s 70th-minute strike.
It was a result Man City had to eke out against an Athletico Madrid side that had clearly come to England with the side sole aim of denying Manchester City any chances and failed to create a single attempt on target.
Diego Simeone’s side had tormented City in the first half with their deep-lying defending and dependence on only the occasional counter-attack to challenge the hosts.
Manchester City rotated the ball with their typical finesse, making it tough for Atletico to break out from their deep defensive formation while never overcommitting.
The Premier League winners, however, we’re unable to convert their absolute possession control into clear chances, with Aymeric Laporte having one of the better chances after the break, but his header from a corner was an off goal.
Atletico’s rare breaks served as a warning to Man City that they needed to preserve their composure, albeit Marcos Llorente failed to test Ederson when the Spaniards did create an opening.
Man City maintained their structure and moved the ball excellently, but the home side needed the entrance of substitute Phil Foden to find the missing ingredient.
Foden lured three players towards him before splitting the Spanish backline with a brilliantly weighted pass to De Bruyne, who tapped past goalkeeper Jan Oblak with a side-foot finish.
The second leg will take place at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid on Wednesday, but City must first beat Premier League championship rivals, Liverpool, at home on Sunday.
