UEFA Champion League: Kevin De Bruyne Steps Up As City Hold Madrid 1-1

Hosts Real Madrid and Manchester City enjoyed impressive moments in their UEFA Champions League semi-finals first-leg 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

With their clearly majestic performance, both teams proved they deservedly belong in this last four stage and the team that advances from the return leg will certainly emerge as heavy favourites in the Champions League final against AC Milan or Inter.

On paper, pundits believe the two sides are a class above the Serie A teams and consider the winner of the second-leg tie likely to emerge as the inevitable Champions of Europe this season

With in-form goal poacher, Erling Haaland, struggling on the night against Los Blancos currently in hot pursuit of their 15th Champions League crown, it was Belgian international, Kevin De Bruynewho came to the party as his stunning strike that gave Pep Guardiola’s side a creditable 1-1 draw

In a match that City dominated the first half but suddenly fell behind to a thunderbolt from Vinicius Jr, the City’s midfield general launched a missile to shoot down Real Madrid and stalemated things for the Cityzens who now have the chance to make hay at the Etihad Stadium in two weeks time.

Dazed by Vinicius’ rocket of a strike that keeper Ederson did not stand a chance, Pep Guardiola’s men were on the back foot for chunks of the second period before De Bruyne delivered the perfect response, showing that whatever the Brazilian winger could do, he could do better.

For City’s leading goal scorer, Haaland, it was a frustrating evening as Madrid’s two center-backs, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, gave him gave a rough ride.

On his part, Keeper Ederson, though not having to make many saves, was quick off his line to swipe the ball from Benzema’s feet and then kept out the Frenchman’s close-range header. He also stayed alert until the end, tipping away Tchouameni’s vicious strike.

The two sides meet again next week at the Etihad Stadium with a place in the final up for grabs. Winners of the two-legged tie, which wraps up on May 17, will meet the winner of Inter vs AC Milan in the Champions League final.