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If Real Madrid-Manchester City has become that most modern of Champions League fixtures, this latest meeting showcased a vintage European Cup quality. It is that moment of true quality that comes out of almost nothing and can change almost everything about a tie. Both teams suffered from it on Tuesday. Both teams benefited from it. It did feel telling that two goals of the highest level came as their sides were enduring their most difficult periods of the game, but in this case more about the players responsible than the teams. This competition is not just about deciding the champions of Europe, after all. That pursuit instead often elevates the greatest player in the world, and it was victory that for so long decided the Ballon d’Or. There is now an opening there as the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era fully comes to an end, and Vinicius Junior is clearly one of those most willing to fill it. And with full speed. This is a player who has added such a complete range of abilities to that devastating pace. The nature of that first goal was testament to that, another jaw-dropping moment that was also one of those which reflected a player moving to another level. This wasn’t just scorching through a defence to side-foot it past a keeper - if such brilliance can even be described in that muted way - in that way Vinicius marked his early career. It was a strike hit with full confidence and power, that showcased a player growing into his game and his true qualities. It was a little like when Messi went from beating defenders and sliding the ball past goalkeepers to suddenly smashing in all range of strikes, if that is obviously not to directly compare the Brazilian to probably the greatest player of all time. There is a greater question now of who compares to Vinicius. He may well be the most effective player in the world right now, if not the very best. Kylian Mbappe still feels like he has a pure football level beyond anyone else but, as a global audience experienced a moment like that, it’s hard not to again wonder if he feels he is wasting himself in a league that isn’t really watched. The French star at this point has a few relevant games a year. Vinicius is making people take note almost every week. There is then their counterpart in sky blue. This time, however, it wasn’t Erling Haaland. For all the focus on Norwegian’s goals, there have been moments this season where it has felt like he’s been in a mutually beneficial competition with Kevin De Bruyne to be City’s best player. This was most true in the 4-1 victory over Arsenal, but the Belgian clearly won here. The goal was one of those essential interventions that characterises the career of great players, that step-up with something above anyone when it is most needed. And at the most exacting stage. Haaland may have leapt above his teammate in those discussions, but this was one of those games where it can least be understood why people say he is a great goalscorer rather than necessarily a great player. That isn’t a criticism, or even to say it’s actually true, but he was more at the fringes of general play here in that way that can happen. Madrid will know not to get complacent on that, though. The truth is that David Alaba and Toni Rudiger had to work extremely hard to limit his impact. It just left that space for De Bruyne, which sets up the second leg. Guardiola described it as “a play-off” as well as a final, but indicated he will seek to do something different in terms of tactics. This was a rare game where, even though City of course had more of the possession, they didn’t have full control of the game and probably weren’t the better team. “We try to adjust something for the second leg to be a bit more fluid, play with a bit more rhythm,” Guardiola said. This has the feel of one that is going to be decided by those margins. Two of the best players already indicated that. Read More Perfect moments help Man City and Real Madrid set up thrilling encore Kevin De Bruyne is Man City’s man for the big occasion but has he met his match? Is AC Milan vs Inter on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Champions League semi-final AC Milan are back – but not as how you remember them The Milan derby crowns Serie A’s return - here is why it means so much more AC Milan vs Inter predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of Champions League semi-final

What the papers say Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos, 21, has emerged as a major target for Manchester United. The Daily Mirror reports the Old Trafford club have held talks with Benfica over a deal worth up to £100million, including add-ons. The Red Devils are also poised to join the race for England midfielder Declan Rice, 24, according to The Sun. United are ready to join Arsenal and Chelsea in the hunt for Rice, who impressed in their narrow 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Sunday. The Hammers are eyeing a move for Fulham boss Marco Silva if they part ways with David Moyes, according to the Daily Mail. The 45-year-old has a £6million release clause in his contract. Chelsea are keen to make Portugal forward Joao Felix’s loan from Atletico Madrid permanent. According to the Standard they are willing to offer striker Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng, 33, and defender Marc Cucurella, 24, as part of a deal for the 23-year-old. Social media round-up Players to watch Viktor Gyokeres: West Ham are keen on a move for the 24-year-old Sweden forward from Coventry, reports the Daily Mirror. N’Golo Kante: The France midfielder, 32, could be persuaded to stay at Chelsea if Mauricio Pochettino is appointed as manager.

The European Cup is approaching its 70th birthday and only one city has produced two clubs who have won it. Not Madrid or Manchester or London. Definitely not Rome or Paris or Berlin, each still awaiting its first, but Milan. Two of the first four winners were AC Milan and Inter. They were two of the four between 2007 and 2010, too. Since then, nothing. As recently as 2015-16, neither was even in Europe. Now they are in the Champions League’s last four, albeit with the caveat that there is a chance neither even finishes in Serie A’s top four. A glamour game this week also has the feel of a throwback fixture. It is the 236th derby di Milano. Four of the previous 235 were in the Champions League: two in the 2005 quarter-finals, two in the 2003 semi-finals. Then Milan were a team with imperial grandeur, with a kind of elegant, aristocratic superiority that meant they didn’t need to run that match. Now manager Stefano Pioli has described Milan as “a project... to invest in young, talented players”. Then it was the natural home of the rich and famous, now Pioli has the youngest team in Serie A. Rewind 20 years and Milan had a relatively young manager, in Carlo Ancelotti, and a side featuring two of his old teammates: at 37, Alessandro Costacurta spent his time pottering about on the halfway line at right-back, as though unaware of the concept of the attacking full-back. He won his fourth Champions League in the final at Old Trafford and got a fifth in 2007, at 41. Paolo Maldini went on to 41, too, having first won the European Cup in the 1980s, playing for Milan for 24 years. There is a forty-something now, but he has a watching brief: Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not registered for the Champions League for the knockout stages. And if he recovered from injury quicker than Milan expected, that omission nevertheless displayed their lack of confidence in their ability to progress beyond the last 16. Ibrahimovic is closer to Maldini and even Costacurta in age than to many of his colleagues. In profile, too: Milan evolved in the 2000s into the natural destination for the big names. At the San Siro, Ancelotti first showed his skill at managing and massaging egos, and not merely owner Silvio Berlusconi’s. The president invariably wanted him to select two strikers; one, Andriy Shevchenko, scored the winning penalty in the 2003 final; another, Hernan Crespo, an oft-forgotten double in the 2005 final defeat; and a third, Filippo Inzaghi, a match-winning double in the 2007 final; his younger brother, current Inter manager Simone, may recall it. The problem in following Berlusconi’s orders was that Milan, with a surfeit of talent, also tended to be well-stocked with No 10s: Rivaldo spent some of the 2002-03 season on the bench, Ronaldinho later spent three seasons at the San Siro, and Kaka won a Ballon d’Or there. Ancelotti had so many playmakers a midfield could include three of four, with Andrea Pirlo anchoring, Clarence Seedorf adding to his collection of Champions Leagues, and Rui Costa providing languid elegance. It was an exaggeration to say the workhorse Gennaro Gattuso had to do the running of four men but he was surrounded by artists. If it was a far cry from the hard-pressing style Arrigo Sacchi had introduced in the late 1980s, the ethos is very different from the modern Milan. The supersized budget is gone. If the greats used to gravitate to Milan, now the search is on for the up-and-coming. Smart scouting involves value for money. The term Galactico was invoked to describe Real Madrid’s stars but, for years, felt equally applicable to Milan’s. Not now. Pierre Kalulu cost €480,000 and has made the second most appearances for them this season. Ismael Bennacer came from relegated Empoli and struck against Napoli in the quarter-finals. Olivier Giroud may be a World Cup winner and a France great but he was picked up for a bargain €1m and was the other scorer against Napoli. Brahim Diaz, borrowed from Real for three seasons, delivered the winner against Tottenham in the last 16. The relatively low-profile Junior Messias, Alexis Saelemaekers, Rade Krunic and Tommaso Pobega help sum up the new Milan. Davide Calabria may follow in the footsteps of Maldini and Franco Baresi by captaining European Cup-winning teams, but he is less celebrated. Charles de Ketelaere is a rare failure in the transfer market but Mike Maignan and Rafael Leao represent coups, match-winners at either end of the pitch. Yet it is notable that even De Ketelaere, the most expensive player in this squad, cost less than Rui Costa did in 2001. The side that started the second leg against Napoli cost around €140m: much less than the combined fees paid for Rui Costa, Inzaghi, Seedorf, Shevchenko and Alessandro Nesta, without even accounting for inflation over the last two decades. If Leao, an injury doubt, does not start on Wednesday, the team of 2023 could be cheaper still. Even if he does, there is far less stardust than in the past. It is AC Milan, but not how we used to know them. But astute business has offered a road back from obscurity. They may prove the least talented, least garlanded Milan team to reach a Champions League final. But the key element is that they may reach a Champions League final. Read More The Milan derby crowns Serie A’s return - but it also means so much more Is AC Milan vs Inter on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Champions League semi-final AC Milan vs Inter predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of Champions League semi-final

For the first time in 20 years, Milan’s two biggest clubs meet in the Champions League last four hoping to book their place in the final. A meeting between AC Milan and Inter guarantees a first Italian competitor in the showpiece decider since 2017. The two Lombardy sides have been relatively evenly matched domestically, with the pair currently fourth and fifth in Serie A, and will recognise a major opportunity to return to European football’s biggest stage. The winner of this semi final will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in Istanbul on 10 June. Here’s everything you need to know. When is AC Milan vs Inter? The first leg of the semi final is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 10 May at their shared San Siro ground in Milan. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the game live on BT Sport 1 with coverage from 7pm. Subscribers can stream the action via the BT Sport app or online player. Team news AC Milan’s Rafael Leao was forced off after just 12 minutes against Lazio, and the forward is a major doubt for this first leg, even if he has hinted that he has avoided serious injury. A late fitness test could decide if Leao is able to feature, but Stefano Pioli’s squad is otherwise in reasonable health. Pioli said Leao would either start the game or not play at all, adding that Belgian winger Alexis Saelemaekers was a potential replacement for Wednesday’s match at the San Siro. “Today he (Leao) trained, tomorrow I will decide what to do,” Pioli told reporters, adding that he was not stressing over the 23-year-old’s fitness. “I’m going to bed quietly tonight, anyway in the morning Rafa and the doctor will tell me his condition. If he is well he will be called up, otherwise not. “If the test is clean he can play. If it is not clean he cannot play -- either from the start or the end. I would have preferred to do it today, but it was not possible.” Simone Inzaghi rotated a little in Inter’s weekend Serie A action, particularly in his forward line, and could opt to start Romelu Lukaku again up front. Danilo D’Ambrosio could be fit to feature, but a shoulder injury is likely to keep Robin Gosens out. Predicted line-ups AC Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Diaz, Bennacer, Saelemaekers; Giroud. Inter XI: Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Lukaku. Odds AC Milan win 9/4 Draw 11/5 Inter win 32/21 Prediction A tight first leg leaves the tie in the balance. AC Milan 1-1 Inter Read More ‘Napoli in paradise’: Italian papers react to first title win in 33 years Olivier Giroud ‘more motivated than ever’ as AC Milan chase Champions League win AC Milan vs Inter team news and predicted line-ups Erling Haaland says Manchester City are attacking run-in with right mentality

The fitness of AC Milan star Rafael Leao is the big talking point ahead of the club’s huge Champions League semi-final first leg against city rivals Inter tonight. For the first time in 20 years, Milan’s two biggest clubs meet in the Champions League last four hoping to book their place in the final. But AC Milan will make a late call on Leao’s participation after the Portuguese winger suffered a muscle injury. Leao has been one of Milan’s most influential players this season with 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, but he lasted only 12 minutes of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Lazio before being taken off. “Today he (Leao) trained, tomorrow I will decide what to do,” Milan coach Stefano Pioli told reporters on Tuesday, adding that he was not stressing over the 23-year-old’s fitness. Here’s everything you need to know. When is AC Milan vs Inter? The first leg of the semi final is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 10 May at their shared San Siro ground in Milan. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the game live on BT Sport 1 with coverage from 7pm. Subscribers can stream the action via the BT Sport app or online player. Team news AC Milan’s Rafael Leao was forced off after just 12 minutes against Lazio, and the forward is a major doubt for this first leg, even if he has hinted that he has avoided serious injury. A late fitness test could decide if Leao is able to feature, but Stefano Pioli’s squad is otherwise in reasonable health. Pioli said Leao would either start the game or not play at all, adding that Belgian winger Alexis Saelemaekers was a potential replacement for Wednesday’s match at the San Siro. “Today he (Leao) trained, tomorrow I will decide what to do,” Pioli told reporters, adding that he was not stressing over the 23-year-old’s fitness. “I’m going to bed quietly tonight, anyway in the morning Rafa and the doctor will tell me his condition. If he is well he will be called up, otherwise not. “If the test is clean he can play. If it is not clean he cannot play -- either from the start or the end. I would have preferred to do it today, but it was not possible.” Simone Inzaghi rotated a little in Inter’s weekend Serie A action, particularly in his forward line, and could opt to start Romelu Lukaku again up front. Danilo D’Ambrosio could be fit to feature, but a shoulder injury is likely to keep Robin Gosens out. Predicted line-ups AC Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Diaz, Bennacer, Saelemaekers; Giroud. Inter XI: Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Lukaku. Odds AC Milan win 9/4 Draw 11/5 Inter win 32/21 Prediction A tight first leg leaves the tie in the balance. AC Milan 1-1 Inter Read More ‘Napoli in paradise’: Italian papers react to first title win in 33 years Olivier Giroud ‘more motivated than ever’ as AC Milan chase Champions League win Is AC Milan vs Inter on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Erling Haaland says Manchester City are attacking run-in with right mentality

At the training grounds of both Milan clubs this week, the players have been enduring the same feeling that many of their more distinguished predecessors did in 2003. It is one that might run against all of the understandable excitement leading up to a second Champions League semi-final derby between Internazionale and AC Milan. That feeling is that this is not a game to really be enjoyed, or even looked forward to in any way. Then, 20 years ago, Alessandro Costacurta was already one of the most decorated players in football but he felt a tension before that match that he hadn’t ever experienced in his career. Not before his first European Cup final in 1989. Not before the World Cup final in 1994. It was a fear of failure, that the cost of defeat to your greatest rivals was much greater than the value of victory. Little wonder the tie only featured one goal. And these were teams that had far more medals and football status than their successors today. That is what makes the feeling now all the deeper, because the stakes are consequently so much higher. It is not just a precious chance at Champions League glory, with the pride of beating your city rivals. It is that there is no guarantee either will be back next season, or any time soon. This is not Andriy Shevchenko, Javier Zanetti, Hernan Crespo or Fabio Cannavaro, all of whom would have viewed the 2003 tie as the sort of game they should regularly be involved in. Many of these players might not get that opportunity, at least at these clubs. That is just another way the atmosphere around this Milan derby runs contrary to the reality. The very history and setting fosters the sense of the greatest glamour in the game. It was little wonder the San Siro has been described as “the Scala of football”. It was for a long time the home of the greatest stars in the sport, as well as the European Cup itself. With 10 victories between them, the Milan clubs have been champions in 15% of the competition’s 67 seasons so far. Madrid is the only city with more European Cups, at 14, but they are all housed in the Bernabeu. “Right now, Milan is the biggest football city in Europe,” Shevchenko said in 2005, when the two clubs again met for the 2005 quarter-final. It will be difficult for anyone not to feel the same as they approach the famous grey columns and red girders of the San Siro on Wednesday night. The very fact Milan and Inter are meeting again at this stage has similarly fired the argument that Serie A is back. This, a bit like the emotion of the players going into the game, is where it gets complicated. Serie A has clearly made immense strides in the last half-decade, and that from a situation where it was facing a full crisis. It could even be said it is now Europe’s second league behind England. Italy does remain the home of tactical innovation, primarily due to the depth of thinking that comes from the Coverciano coaching school. The starting XIs from the 2002-03 Champions League semi-final second leg AC Milan: Dida, Alessandro Costacurta, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Khaka Kaladze, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Rui Costa, Andriy Shevchenko, Filippo Inzaghi Internazionale: Francesco Toldo; Ivan Cordoba, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro, Francesco Coco, Javier Zanetti, Sergio Conceicao, Luigi Di Biagio, Emre Belezoglu, Alvaro Recoba, Hernan Crespo That has played into a refreshing variety of playing styles, that make it stand apart from the homogenous frenetic pressing of the Bundesliga and the increasingly stale possession of La Liga. That variety also corresponds with a new competitive vitality, largely due to the vacuum left by Juventus. Napoli may have run away with the league this season, but they will be the third different champions in three years, with huge unpredictability beneath them. This is the new reality of Italian football, that makes it more compelling. Clubs from quite far down the table can think they have a chance at a title challenge. Hence these two great clubs can reach this grand stage while both struggling to finish in the top four this season. Much of this has been influenced by innovative and influential work at clubs like Atalanta, Sassuolo and Napoli but also a specific type of American owner that wants to do things differently. They have identified an under-appreciated value in football - for want of a better phrase - and feel it can be maximised through the most modern methods. All of these factors have come together to force one of Europe’s most conservative and protective football cultures into a new age. Milan, in winning the Scudetto last season for the first time in 11 years, arguably typify this more than anyone. That comes from a situation where the two clubs had to adapt to a new reality, where they no longer represent the most dominant model in the game. For over 40 years, after all, Milan and Inter were run by a series of emotionally invested industrialists and moguls who could basically outbid anyone in football. It was why, a little like the Premier League now, Serie A could pay wages nobody else could reach. This is what brought so many of the stars that illuminated the atmosphere around that 2003 tie and so many decades of football. It is why, when you think of a Milan derby in the Champions League, you don’t really think of Nicolo Barella or Fikayo Tomori, with respect. You think of so many that came before, from Ronaldo to Marco van Basten. The Premier League has now just gone to a far greater scale, driven by broadcasting revenue and a new strand of ownership attracted by such economic and social capital. The most recognisable of those moguls - Silvio Berlusconi and Massimo Moratti - gradually realised they could not compete in a football market with state ownership like Manchester City’s, so checked out. The problem provoked a debate within the San Siro, where former players like Zvonimar Boban argued about the idea of “a Milan player”, who had to be grand enough to wear the shirt. The modernists within the new club infrastructure insisted it would be wasteful to overspend trying to pay for such players. It is largely this, after all, which has Internazionale in such financial problems now. So, while their rivals will decide on starting a £100m signing like Romelu Lukaku on Wednesday, Milan will instead turn to players such as Rafael Leao who may be worth £100m in the future. They went against the arguments of Boban, and sought the modern route. Analytics would be prioritised to seek undervalued players, and build the future. Inter have been much more about the present, which was never more obvious than when at last winning the league again under a coach like Antonio Conte. It also points to how all of this is just an adaptation to the modern game, which has been pretty much the case with the Champions League this season. One of the only reasons the discussion about Serie A’s prospective return is being had is because of the blind luck of the draw. The three strongest sides left in the competition in City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were all put on one side. All of the Italians left were put on the other. We might not have such a fixture at all with one change. The Milan clubs nevertheless made the best of this. Inter were already developing that kind of dogged momentum that comes with cup runs, personified by Milan Skriniar. Manager Simone Inzaghi has no defined style but knows how to adapt for individual games. Milan have meanwhile decided to define their new era with that modern pressing game, but Stefano Piolo of course had the presence of mind to completely temper it for Napoli. They picked off the new Serie A champions, just as they did in the league. This is a contrast that conditions the tie. Due to their big spending, Inter are more individual-based, with more decisive attacking players. The suggestions are that Inzaghi may go for both Lauturo Martinez and Lukaku, who have the capacity to be a tough challenge for any team. They also have the capacity for games where they do nothing, a problem accentuated by the fact Inter often create so little. They don’t have Milan’s tactical ideology, so are more dependent on rising to the occasion in any given game. It is just as well Inzaghi has so far brought this out in the Champions League. As one figure who has worked with both clubs says, “there is an enormous difference between Inter’s worst performance and their best”. That isn’t seen as the case with Milan, due to a more defined way of playing. That approach means there is always attacking service. Such underlying consistency has driven this Champions League run, and ensured they have overcome poor Serie A form. Many around Milan would also insist that it is also just the “magic” that comes over the club when they play in the Champions League. Back in those glory days of the mid-2000s, some players occasionally put on the famous competition theme to try and get a response in poor league campaigns. “I don’t know what happens to us when we hear the Champions League music,” former CEO Adriano Galliani once said. “We’ll have to ask a psychologist.” Mentality similarly weighs over this tie, but potentially with the opposite effect. It may well suffocate the game. There’s also the fact that, as both clubs have found for the last decade, “magic” can only run against reality for so long. This is what colours the debate over whether Serie A is back. Both clubs know that the wealthiest clubs - most of them coming from the Premier League - are just waiting to pick off their teams. That may happen in Istanbul, after this semi-final. Milan have made it part of their strategy. Inter this summer need it. It points to how both have adapted to the modern game. This semi-final will be a showcase of that, rather than the traditional glamour of Milan the football city. It is why it means all the more, even if it doesn't look like what it was. Read More Is AC Milan vs Inter on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Champions League semi-final On This Day in 2016 – West Ham beat Manchester United in Upton Park farewell We feel unstoppable at home – Jack Grealish eyes Champions League final Perfect moments help Man City and Real Madrid set up thrilling encore

West Ham came from behind to beat Manchester United in the final game to be played at Upton Park on this day in 2016. Headers from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid secured a 3-2 victory for the Hammers as they bade farewell to their home of 112 years ahead of their move to the London Stadium. Diafra Sakho had given the hosts the lead until Anthony Martial put United ahead with a second-half brace. The occasion was marred before kick-off when bottles were thrown at the Manchester United coach as it made its way into the ground. The Metropolitan Police confirmed a police officer and a member of the public were hurt, with the Football Association launching an investigation. Kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes but West Ham were quickly out of the blocks and, although the Red Devils rallied after the break, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic ultimately saw his team win and severely dent United’s hopes of Champions League qualification. “It’s a great night,” Bilic said. “It’s our history and it’s not just a game. It’s against them, (United) it’s fighting for Europe and everything, a late night game – it couldn’t be better. “All the boxes you need to have a special kind of a game, it was tonight. All the boxes were there, Man United, late night, thriller, five goals, so brilliant.” Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal refused to blame the pre-match attack on the club coach as a reason for his side’s defeat. “First of all you cannot prove that (it had an effect),” he said. “It will have an influence but I don’t think we have to look for excuses because we chased the match in the second half and 20 minutes before full-time we are ahead so I don’t think you have to look for that excuse.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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Jack Grealish is confident of reaching the Champions League final after Manchester City fought back to claim a draw in the first leg of their semi-final against Real Madrid. Kevin De Bruyne struck a stunning equaliser at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night as City came from behind to draw 1-1 after an equally brilliant opener from Real’s Vinicius Junior. The result leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of next week’s return leg at the Etihad Stadium. City are seeking revenge for their loss to Real at the same stage last season and Grealish feels the Premier League side’s home record gives them the edge. The England midfielder told BT Sport: “We have a new team this year, different players. “We’ve learned so much since last year. Now we have the perfect balance of experience and a few youngsters who are just world-class. “I think we just have quality and I’ve never felt so confident going on to the pitch and having these players around me. “Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there. We came here to try and win, but it shows our character to go a goal down – it’s always difficult to play at a place like this. “In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few as well.” City controlled a lot of the early play but Real soaked up pressure and hit them with a fine counter-attacking goal. City manager Pep Guardiola praised his side for the way they fought back when under severe pressure. Guardiola said: “It was a really tight game. Congratulations to the team because this team (Real) are always so difficult for their history and also their quality. “We started really well and when we were better they made an incredible transition (and scored). “When they were better than us in the second half, we scored. It’s open to Manchester, it will be a final for our people and we look forward to it.” Real manager Carlo Ancelotti was booked amid commotion on the touchline as De Bruyne celebrated his 67th-minute equaliser. The Italian revealed afterwards he had been complaining the ball went out of play in the build-up to the City goal. He also claimed he had seen proof he was correct. Ancelotti said: “The ball was off the pitch. Technology said it and I don’t understand why VAR didn’t check it “The referee didn’t pay attention to many things tonight.” Ancelotti, however, was happy enough with his side’s performance and the state of the tie. He said: “We have to play like this again next week. Our strategy was good, we weren’t worried when they had possession. “Then the second half was completely different. We had the ball and created opportunities. We are very satisfied. “ Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jay Rodriguez revels in ‘surreal’ promotion as Burnley celebrate title Rain ends Ireland’s automatic World Cup hopes Dispute over Emiliano Sala’s transfer to Cardiff to be resolved in French courts

Two satisfying, spectacular thumps of a ball, from similar range, into the same side of the same goal. One arrowed into the top corner, one the bottom. There are times when stages seem designed for players, when they are at that sweet spot where talent and momentum collide, when they have the force of personality to impose their gifts on the major occasion. But when there are two, when they are on opposite sides, Kevin de Bruyne cancelled out Vinicius Junior. Vinicius got the winner in last season’s final. The sense that De Bruyne, like everyone else at City, remains unfulfilled in the Champions League was underlined by the 2021 final, which he departed with a broken nose and fractured eye socket. It does not mean, though, that his potential has gone unrealised on European nights. De Bruyne scored against Real Madrid in 2020 and 2022 and 2023; if Manchester City had faced them in 2021, he probably would have found the net then, too. De Bruyne’s goals are rationed these days, saved for the big occasions. Since the start of April, he has scored against Arsenal, Liverpool and Real. He has assisted against every other team he has faced, save for Sam Allardyce’s Leeds, and even that owed more to a remarkable miss from Erling Haaland than managerial brilliance. Should City’s season end in Istanbul, it will owe much to De Bruyne. But if not, he graced a great ground with a great goal. Under other circumstances, there would be grounds to say City are slight favourites, even in a tournament stripped of the away-goals rule. But not, perhaps, when the opponents are Real. They trailed for 178 minutes of last season’s semi-final against City and progressed. The equation has altered now, with the second leg at the Etihad Stadium this year, but Real are in a position of parity yet, arguably, a side with no equals. In their different ways, these two teams are peerless, testing their contrasting approaches to continental superiority. If City may be the best side in Europe, Real are the best at winning the European Cup. Perhaps it shows a flaw in Pep Guardiola’s thinking: Real have lifted the Champions League five times since he last did. But maybe it just highlights the uniqueness of Real: everyone else, after all, wants to be the serial winners of this trophy and, right now, no one else is. Guardiola has his explanations for City’s enduring inability to conquer Europe. He likes to argue that clubs with a tradition of lifting this trophy possess an inherent advantage, as though an institutional memory of Alfredo di Stefano prompts Karim Benzema to score or Vinicius Junior is transformed into a 21st-century Francisco Gento on a European stage. An alternative explanation is simply that each is an outstanding player: Benzema is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, Vinicius perhaps the in-form superstar of 2023. Now he has supplanted even the Frenchman as Real’s major threat. Real have a formula of timelessness and explosiveness, with experience in the middle, pace on the flanks. They struck when Luka Modric released Eduardo Camavinga to fly into space on the left. Vinicius Junior unleashed a thunderbolt. If Kyle Walker was included because he might win a race against the Brazilian, even he can’t travel as fast as the winger’s cannonball of a shot. Yet the context made it more remarkable. Carlo Ancelotti borrowed from the Allardyce playbook and began on the defensive against City. Real sat back. They absorbed the pressure, but in an unflustered way. But Real play a game of patience better than anyone else. Ancelotti, a booking for dissent notwithstanding, is the most languid of managers and his team have adopted his persona. Meanwhile, City passed and passed – they had 72 percent of possession in the first 20 minutes – and then one deft flick from Modric made the difference. After the phoney war came a bullet from Vinicius. And then Real grew into game, took more of a turn on the ball, showed more ambition. Camavinga started to appear everywhere; left-backs are not supposed to be this ubiquitous but, like Vinicius, the Frenchman is a relative youngster who seems born for such nights. And then, just as Real seemed to be turning the screw, De Bruyne delivered. Haaland was finding David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger obdurate opponents. A series of duels were battles between compatriots. Vinicius’ shot flew past Ederson. Toni Kroos, the unlikely enforcer, chopped down Ilkay Gundogan. Thibaut Courtois made a terrific save from De Bruyne. But not a second. Had City struck from an intricate passing move, it might have seemed Guardiola had brought a Barcelona-esque ethos to the Bernabeu. But it was a moment of individual inspiration. Over the last decade, Real have had more than anyone else in this competition. But there was one apiece in Madrid. Vinicius aimed high, De Bruyne low. Each was a goal worthy of deciding a semi-final, but they can’t both win. Read More Perfect moments help Man City and Real Madrid set up thrilling encore Player ratings from Man City’s first-leg comeback against Real Madrid I know Pep Guardiola - and this is why Man City will win the Champions League Player ratings from Man City’s Champions League first-leg comeback at Real Madrid Perfect moments help Man City and Real Madrid set up thrilling encore Man City set for Premier League title boost with Kevin De Bruyne return

Two perfect strikes, that would have been great enough to crown any European champions, but instead serve as the perfect set-up for the second leg. That was the overriding sense as Manchester City came back from 1-0 down to claim a 1-1 draw at Real Madrid. It was an absorbing game, elevated by two goals of the highest quality, but the feeling was it was just getting going as it ended. It is instead only halfway, for a match that could well decide almost everything this season - and certainly the competition that means more than anything else. Real Madrid can perhaps be slightly frustrated that they didn’t claim a killer second goal when City seemed there for the taking. It was uncharacteristic, and left them open to what they often do to everyone else in Europe, but not as uncharacteristic as how the game went for Pep Guardiola’s side. This was only the first time since April 1 that they were behind in a game. While it may not have been their best performance in that time, the fortitude shown might be just as important to finally winning this Champions League that the Abu Dhabi project so desires. It is the knowledge of such greater powers in the game which has so fired this version of Madrid, and defined their last half-decade, but that’s not quite the case with Carlo Ancelotti. He has his own ways, especially since he also has the record for most Champions League that Guardiola so desires. That did weigh over this match. As tends to happen in games on this stage, and especially when the main cast have now met so often, there are echoes of so many previous nights. Ancelotti had tried this exact approach against Guardiola before. It was on the way to his third Champions League, and Madrid’s 10th, as they sought to limit space for a technically superior Bayern Munich but only around their own box. Ancelotti was prepared to cede plenty of the pitch beyond, which again left a Guardiola team with so much possession, but only because it also allowed his fast players so much space to run into. Madrid won that match 1-0, getting the vital touch when Guardiola’s team had so many passes. Now, Ancelotti has even faster players, and more of them. It is one of the most striking elements of this iteration of Madrid. They have so many immensely promising players, who can eat up 80 yards of the pitch in no time. It means they can go from defending to devastating in seconds. Chief among them is Vinicius Jr, who by this point has long gone from “promising” to perhaps the most effective player in world football, perhaps the best. The goal was another great illustration of this, as well as a glorious combination of so many different qualities. There was first of all the divine and deft touch under pressure that was Luka Modric’s pass to Eduardo Camavinga. It was one of those moments that in the instant felt innocuous but actually did so much in one individual move. Modric both released the pressure and released Camavinga. The French international, here as a left-back but potentially one of the best midfielders in the world, just thundered up the pitch in the manner Madrid see as their future. The actual moment was something else. Vinicius let the ball run across him and, with one touch without breaking stride, almost broke the net with a strike that soared into the corner. Its impact was all the greater since it had come out of City’s best spell of the game for some time. So it was for the next goal, except this was the reverse. Kevin De Bruyne scored a ludicrously good goal out of Madrid’s best spell. It is another difference from that 2014 match, too. If Ancelotti now has more faster players, Guardiola has better ones, not least the Belgian. Before then, Madrid had actually sought to replicate their city rivals at Atletico Madrid last season by rattling Jack Grealish. Dani Carvajal shockingly barged him into the advertising hoardings, before Toni Kroos brutally cut him down in midfield. Madrid were really embracing this approach. It ensured they maybe got more of a hold of it than they expected. They were in full control in the 20 minutes before De Bruyne’s equaliser, and sensing the game was there to be killed. Unusually for Madrid, though, they couldn’t quite manage it. They instead felt the impact of what they frequently do to English sides. Out of nothing, De Bruyne produced a shot that had everything behind it. There was maybe a bit more to it than that since he and Rodri had repeatedly tried to catch Thibaut Courtois out from distance. This proved the logic. The game immediately became one governed by emotions, end to end, both sides probably content to take the draw but neither yet willing to accept it. That meant Federico Valverde destroying the City left side with one luscious turn, with Grealish then matching him through the middle - and the otherwise quiet Erling Haaland racing ahead dangerously - only for Antonio Rudiger to robustly block him and celebrate doing so. By that point, it felt like the tie was only getting going, and it could have done with a half-hour more. There will be at least 90 minutes to come on Wednesday, and it could decide the season. Read More I know Pep Guardiola - and this is why Man City will win the Champions League The six types of Pep Guardiola full-back, and what each says about Man City’s evolution Player ratings from Man City’s first-leg comeback against Real Madrid Player ratings from Man City’s Champions League first-leg comeback at Real Madrid Jay Rodriguez revels in ‘surreal’ promotion as Burnley celebrate title Laureus award winners and Crouch meets Lasso – Tuesday’s sporting social

Kevin De Bruyne struck a stunning equaliser as Manchester City claimed a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. The Belgian cancelled out an equally brilliant first-half effort from Vinicius Junior when he fired past international team-mate Thibaut Courtois from the edge of the area after 67 minutes in the Bernabeu Stadium. Treble-chasing City had dominated a lot of the early play but holders Real drew first blood in a tense battle when Vinicius lashed home from 25 yards after 36 minutes. The result leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of next week’s return clash at the Etihad Stadium. City came into the fixture looking to avenge their loss to Real at the same stage last year and were not fazed by their return to the scene of their late capitulation in that tie. They started strongly, controlling possession in their usual confident manner and patiently looking to carve out opportunities. When the chances came they initially found Courtois in defiant mood. The former Chelsea number one saved well from De Bruyne before pushing away a Rodri effort and twice denying Erling Haaland. Real rarely got out of their own half early on but they did serve warning of their threat when Vinicius broke and centred for Karim Benzema but the Frenchman failed to control. As the first half wore on the hosts grew into the game and Ederson needed to be alert to prevent Benzema reaching a Rodrygo through-ball. The hosts snatched the lead after Eduardo Camavinga combined with Luka Modric and then played Vinicius through. The Brazilian sped onto the ball and unleashed a ferocious drive which flew past Ederson. City did not panic in response but Real then began testing their patience. Jack Grealish had come in for some rough treatment from Dani Carvajal since the start and things threatened to get out of hand when the Spaniard barged the City midfielder into the advertising hoardings. When Carvajal held out an arm to help the Englishman up, Grealish attempted to push him away and Carvajal flung himself to the ground theatrically. Portuguese referee Artur Dias let that incident go but did get out his yellow card soon after when Toni Kroos fouled Ilkay Gundogan after one of several skirmishes between the Germany team-mates. City manager Pep Guardiola was far from happy with the officials as the first half drew to a close and Real’s spoiling tactics continued after the break. City tried to avoid the distractions and went close again when De Bruyne broke clear but Courtois stuck out a hand to save at close range. David Alaba produced a fine tackle to prevent Haaland shooting. The visitors had to do some defending too and they conceded a succession of corners before Federico Valverde shot narrowly over. Yet City were not flustered and they equalised in the 67th minute with a superb strike from De Bruyne. This time Courtois had no chance as De Bruyne fired into the bottom corner from just outside the area. Real manager Carlo Ancelotti was booked amid some commotion on the touchline as De Bruyne celebrated. Real finished strongly and Ederson produced fine saves to keep out a header from Benzema and a long-range shot from Aurelien Tchouameni. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jay Rodriguez revels in ‘surreal’ promotion as Burnley celebrate title Rain ends Ireland’s automatic World Cup hopes Dispute over Emiliano Sala’s transfer to Cardiff to be resolved in French courts