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21.11.2012 » Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid. A draw that assures safe passage
Real Madrid and Manchester City tied at 1-1 this past night, leaving the Citizens's hopes of getting through in this UEFA Champions League edition reduced to zero. As for the Merengues, they secured 2nd place in Group D and will now have to face one of the remaining group leaders, at the Champions League last-16 knock-out stage. The opener was scored with only 10 minutes played, after a great assist from Angel Di María that left Karim Benzema with the easy task of slightly deflecting the Argentinian's cross. Deep in the 2nd half, Sergio Aguero appearently got fouled inside Real Madrid's penalty area, made Arbeloa being sent off after a second yellow card and equalized the game as he beat Iker Casillas from the 12 yards mark. Cristiano Ronaldo had a special game this Wednesday night in Manchester, but despite his good display, the Portuguese star didn't manage to leave his mark in the game scoresheet.
Cristiano Ronaldo game photos in Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid goals and highlights:
José Mourinho has clearly won the strategical battle against Roberto Mancini during the 1st half and the result coming from that was a Real Madrid side always looking more dangerous than their opponent and closer to score on numerous occasions. However, the Merengues lacked efficiency in front of goal and simply wasted too many chances, allowing Manchester City to hang on to a 1-goal disadvantage for too long and eventually reach the equalizer after improving their performance levels shortly after the break. Sami Khedira ended up having goal opportunities on his feet for several occasions, but just like the rest of his teammates, he struggled to make the ball get past Joe Hart and actually cross the goal line this Wednesday night.
One of Real Madrid players in best form is surely Karim Benzema these days. The Frenchman got the opener with only 10 minutes played, precisely his 4th goal over the last 4 appearances for the Merengues. Angel Di María put in a long from the right attacking side, which found Benzema completely forgotten by Manchester City defenders and with only Joe Hart helpless and standing on the goal line. The French striker didn't forgive and pushed the ball in, putting Real Madrid in the lead for the first time on that night.
The first half kept being dominated by Real Madrid and goalscoring chances were pilling up one after another. Cristiano Ronaldo had his best opportunity to score in a city that means so much to him around the 16th minute, but he saw his chip over Joe Hart being cleared away by Zabaleta, right before the ball crossed the goal line. The result would remain untouched until half-time and the truth is Manchester City could hardly do worse after the break.
And so it was, as soon as the 2nd half started, Mancini's men didn't lose much time in showing a different attitude and tactical approach on the pitch. The home side played with more intensity, started marking Real Madrid's men a lot better and with that, they would eventually reach the desired equalizer.
The Citizens made a serious warning just a few minutes before the tie took place though, as a cross from Maicon on the right got responded by Sergio Aguero on the far post, just half meter away from the goal line. Iker Casillas threw his body in front and blocked the strike, proving he's still capable of pulling some of those saves that have earned him in the past the right of being called the best goalkeeper in the World.
However, there wasn't much that Casillas could have done minutes later, when Sergio Aguero seems to have been tripped inside Real Madrid's penalty area, after getting in front of Alvaro Arbeloa. The Spanish right-back got shown the 2nd yellow card and was sent off, leaving the Merengues with 10 men on the pitch and in the imminence of conceding a goal from the spot. Sergio Aguero didn't run away from the responsability of the moment and beat Iker Casillas to make it 1-1 and still allow the home fans to dream with a victory against the Spanish champions.
From that point onwards, City controlled most of the game, leaving Real Madrid with very few chances to score, despite Cristiano Ronaldo's several attempts and solo runs. No more goals were scored at the City of Manchester Stadium, as the home side confirmed their elimination from this year's UEFA Champions League and will now have to fight to still qualify for the UEFA Europa League. As for Real Madrid, the passage to the UEFA Champions League last-16 knock out stages was assured and the last home fixture against Ajax won't have any decisive factor anymore.
Real Madrid line-up vs Manchester City:
Goalkeeper: Casillas
Defenders: Fábio Coentrão, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Modric, Khedira
Attackers: Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema
| Match stats provided by www.ronaldo7.net
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Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Real Madrid will be against Betis, for the Spanish League 'La Liga', next Saturday (24-11-2012). You can watch Juventus live stream, Betis vs Real Madrid, Levante vs Barcelona, Manchester United vs QPR, and Aston Villa vs Arsenal, all matches provided from our live soccer section.
Real Madrid next game:
Betis vs Real Madrid kick-off time (24-11-2012):
Jakarta (Indonesia) | GMT+8: 04:00
Spain (Madrid) | GMT+2: 22:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | GMT+1: 21:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | GMT-1: 19:00
New York (United States) | GMT-4: 16:00
Los Angeles (United States) | GMT-7: 13:00
Beijing (China) | GMT-7: 13:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / itv.com / football365.com
