Anna 
Manchester City’s hopes of securing a commanding advantage in their Champions League round-of-16 clash with Real Madrid were dashed in dramatic fashion as Carlo Ancelotti’s side staged a sensational late comeback to win 3-2 in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium.
The evening began with a provocative gesture from City fans, who unfurled a massive flag mocking Real Madrid and star player Vinicius Junior. The banner, referencing a highly charged reaction to Rodri’s Ballon d’Or snub last year, read, “Stop Crying Your Heart Out,” quoting an Oasis anthem, alongside an image of Rodri kissing the prestigious trophy at the award ceremony that Real Madrid had boycotted.
But the taunting would soon backfire. Despite a strong start, City’s fragile confidence was exposed as Real Madrid, the perennial masters of late drama, turned a 2-1 deficit in the final minutes into a win. The crucial shift came after Brahim Diaz leveled the score in the 86th minute, and Jude Bellingham delivered the decisive blow in injury time, capitalizing on a defensive mishap to put Real 3-2 ahead.
Real’s late show epitomized their hallmark resilience. With the experience of their Champions League pedigree, they seemed unshakable even as City appeared to be on the cusp of a significant victory. For Pep Guardiola’s men, it was another painful collapse, marking the fifth time this season they’ve lost a lead.
City’s struggles were compounded by key injuries. Jack Grealish was forced off after just 30 minutes, a blow as the winger was playing with real intent and energy. Rodri, already sidelined with a knee injury, could only watch from the stands, his presence sorely missed as City’s composure faltered under pressure.
In the final minutes, goalkeeper Ederson’s indecisiveness proved costly, as he was caught out of position after a lob from Vinicius Junior. Bellingham was quick to capitalize, sealing the victory with a composed finish.
Guardiola, whose side had been unable to hold onto a late lead despite earlier taking the lead through Erling Haaland, admitted his team’s frailty in closing out games. “Many times it happens this season,” Guardiola said post-match. “I know the quality of Real Madrid, but we weren’t stable enough. We didn’t manage the situation well.”
The defeat underlines growing concerns for City, who are struggling with a combination of injuries, fatigue, and mental fragility. Ederson, once a stalwart in goal, looked vulnerable, while the club’s talismanic figures like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva were overshadowed, their performances labored.
The visitors, however, were clinical in seizing upon City’s errors. Real Madrid’s attacking trio of Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Bellingham were relentless, while Kylian Mbappé, who had been silent for much of the match, added his own threat in the second half.
With a precarious deficit to overcome in the second leg at the Bernabeu, Manchester City now faces an uphill battle. Despite their recent dominance in English football, Guardiola’s side is left with little margin for error as they attempt to mount a comeback against a Real Madrid team that has made a habit of turning European nights into their own.
“We are just not stable enough in these moments,” Guardiola lamented. “It’s not about blaming a specific player. It’s all of us. I take responsibility, and we need to find composure.”
As the defending champions head to Madrid, the question remains whether City can weather the storm, or if this season will mark the end of an era for Guardiola’s team.
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