Manchester City welcomed Real Madrid to the Etihad for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Neither side had a chance of note in a first 45 minutes that was more tactical than open and entertaining.
Real Madrid had much the better of the second period, but neither could make the breakthrough as the pair played out a goalless draw ahead of the return in Madrid.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
5.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from England as Manchester City welcome Real Madrid for the first leg of their semi-final. There is no comparing the two teams when it comes to the European Cup, but football has a funny way of throwing up surprises from time to time! It has all the makings of a classic night of Champions League football – be sure to stick with me!
5.49pmKickoff is not actually for another two hours – well just under. However, we will have all of the build-up and indeed the team news, which is expected to land in the next hour. Both managers have had injury concerns in the build-up and it will be fascinating to see who has made it and who has not. Nothing will be decided tonight, but either could find themselves in big trouble with a poor result in the first leg!
5.52pmUnsurprisingly, Man City against Real Madrid is not a fixture that has been prominent in European football. In fact, the pair have actually only met on two previous occasions and both of those fixtures came in the group stage of the 2012-13 Champions League. In Madrid, Real Madrid twice came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory courtesy of a late strike from a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
5.55pmIt did finish 1-1 in Manchester, however, with Sergio Aguero's penalty cancelling out Karim Benzema's 10th-minute strike for the Spanish giants and Real Madrid actually ended that match with 10 men after Alvaro Arbeloa picked up a second yellow card. It is always difficult to ascertain what would be a good result in the first leg of a two-legged affair and I am certain that Man City will be desperate to stop Real Madrid scoring an away goal here, but that is easier said than done.
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5.59pmIn truth, the contrast in European Cup semi-final experience between these two teams could not be more extreme. Indeed, this is Man City's first ever semi-final in this competition, but Real Madrid are in the last-four stage for a record 27th time. Los Blancos have won 13 and lost 13 of their previous semi-finals and have reached this stage of the Champions League for the sixth successive season.
6.02pmReal Madrid have actually only won one of their last six Champions League semi-finals and that was against Bayern Munich in the 2013-14 season, when they went on to lift a 10th title following victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid in the final. The Spanish outfit are also unbeaten in their last eight games against English sides in the Champions League – recording six wins in the process. Indeed, the last British team to knock them out of the Champions League was Liverpool in the 2008-09 round of 16.
6.05pmBayern Munich and Real Madrid were, at the very start, expected to make the semi-finals this season, but they were supposed to be joined by the holders Barcelona and one other. Instead, Atletico Madrid dumped Barcelona out of the competition in the quarter-finals and Man City beat Paris Saint-Germain. Man City were always going to draw a monster in the final four and although they avoided the favourites Bayern, 10-time winners Real Madrid were the team waiting for Manuel Pellegrini's side.
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6.09pmIt would be something if Man City advanced and met Bayern in the final, with Pep Guardiola preparing to leave the Allianz Arena and take control of Man City next season. It would be a bizarre set of circumstances surrounding the match, but Atletico are a match for anyone and Real Madrid will fancy their chances of progressing through this semi-final and possibly set up a repeat of the 2014 final.
6.13pmRight, let's have a look at how both teams progressed to this stage of the competition. Man City were drawn into a difficult group alongside last season's finalists Juventus, Europa League winners Sevilla and tricky German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach. Pellegrini's side lost two of their six Group D fixtures, but qualified in first position after beating Gladbach 4-2 in the final round of fixtures. Italian champions Juventus took second spot with 11 points, while it was Spanish outfit Sevilla who dropped into the Europa League, where they have reached the semi-finals once again.
6.16pmIn truth, Man City were handed a favourable draw in the first knockout round and they beat Dynamo Kiev 3-1 on aggregate to advance into the quarter-finals, where PSG were waiting. The French champions had impressively beaten Chelsea in the last round, but Man City picked up a 2-2 draw in France, before winning 1-0 at the Etihad to book a surprise spot in the semi-finals for the first time.
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6.19pmMan City's last two Champions League campaigns finished in the round of 16, when they were beaten by Barcelona on both occasions. Their home record against Spanish sides is won three, drawn two and lost two and indeed both of those defeats came to Barcelona. Overall, Man City have faced Spanish opposition on 15 times in European competition – winning five and suffering seven defeats.
6.23pmMan City might have never reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, but their head coach Pellegrini took Villarreal to the final four in the 2005-06 season, before losing out to Arsenal. Pellegrini will leave the Etihad at the end of this season and while a Premier League title is beyond them, delivering the Champions League would be the perfect way for the Chilean to depart.
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6.26pmThis season, Man City have won three of their five home Champions League matches, but they did lose at home to Juventus in the group stages. That said, the English club have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two Champions League fixtures at the Etihad – including in the quarter-finals against PSG. You just get the feeling that Man City will need to keep a clean sheet if they are to stand a chance of progressing from the second leg in Madrid, which will be a very tough fixture.
6.29pmAs for Real Madrid, the Spanish giants absolutely breezed through the group stages – winning five of their six fixtures to finish on 16 points. They were three points ahead of second-place PSG in Group D, with Shakhtar Donetsk dropping into the Europa League and Malmo eliminated from European competition. Incredibly, Real Madrid scored 19 times in their six group matches and only conceded three times.
6.32pmA tricky last-16 tie pitted Real Madrid against Roma, but Los Blancos made last work of the Italian outfit – winning both legs 2-0 to continue their excellent record in the competition. Then came drama, then came a serious threat from Wolfsburg, who were supposed to roll over in the quarter-finals. It was supposed to be a comfortable progression for Zinedine Zidane's side, but they were given a big scare!
6.36pmIndeed, Wolfsburg recorded a shock 2-0 victory in the first leg of their quarter-final to leave Real Madrid with much to do in the return, but Cristiano Ronaldo – who else – hit a hat-trick to secure a 3-2 aggregate win. As mentioned, they have actually lost five of their last six Champions League semi-finals, however, which is an incredible record for the 10-time winners. Team news is imminent here.
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6.39pmDespite losing 2-0 at Wolfsburg in the last round, Real Madrid have only been beaten in two of their last 12 European away games – recording eight wins in the process. They are also unbeaten in their last eight games against English clubs since a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool during the 2008-09 season. Real Madrid's record in England is won six, drawn three and lost five. Overall, they have won 13, drawn nine and lost 10 of their 32 clashes with English opposition both home and on the road.
6.40pmBREAKING! Ronaldo has seemingly failed a late fitness test and will not start tonight! Full confirmed team news when it comes available, but it appears that Ronaldo is OUT for Real Madrid tonight!
6.44pmTEAMS:
CITY: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, De Bruyne, Silva; Aguero
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Vasquez
6.47pmIt is confirmed! Ronaldo IS OUT for Real Madrid tonight. The Portuguese suffered a reoccurrence of a thigh problem during a training session yesterday and does not even make the bench. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema both start and it is Lucas Vasquez that replaces Ronaldo in the final third. Elsewhere, Dani Carvajal is picked ahead of Danilo at right-back and Casemiro starts in the middle of midfield.
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6.48pm
Ronaldo not in Real Madrid squad pic.twitter.com/eYKWHRzan6
— Paul Hirst (@hirstclass) April 26, 2016
6.52pmWhat about Man City then? Well, Vincent Kompany starts at centre-back, while Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy also return to the back four. Fernandinho will start alongside Fernando in the middle of the park, with Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva and Jesus Navas supporting lone forward Sergio Aguero. Among the substitutes for the home side tonight as Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph.
6.55pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now around 50 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Manchester. I have run through how both sides have performed in this competition, but what about the league and recent form? Well, what about it? I shall tell you about it!
6.58pmMan City are not going to win the Premier League title this season and to be honest, they are not even close. A total of 64 points from 35 matches has left them in third – 12 behind the leaders Leicester City and five behind second-place Tottenham. Indeed, Pellegrini's side are not even certain of a position in the top four, with Manchester United five points behind in fifth and with a game in hand.
7.02pmMan City have not been beaten in any competition since losing 1-0 at home to Man United on March 20, however, which is a run of form which stretches seven matches. They won 3-0 away at Chelsea in the Premier League on April 16, before drawing 1-1 at Newcastle United last Tuesday. Pellegrini's side returned to winning ways at the weekend, however, as they thumped Stoke City 4-0 at the Etihad.
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7.05pmDespite a strong run of recent form, Man City have lost nine of their 35 league games this season and they have also conceded 34 times, which is the worst record in the top five. Kompany has been in and out on too many occasions and it would be fair to say that Nicolas Otamendi is taking time to settle. Defence will be an area that Guardiola will have to address in the summer transfer window.
7.08pmIt would still be a big surprise if Man City failed to finish in the top four, however, and they will travel to Southampton in the league this weekend, before hosting Arsenal on May 8. Pellegrini's side then end their season away to Swansea City on May 15 and they will then be hoping to look ahead to a Champions League final. The second leg of this semi-final will take place at the Bernabeu on May 4.
7.12pmIf you are just joining us - Ronaldo is OUT for Real Madrid tonight. The Portuguese aggravated a thigh problem during a training session on Monday and is not even in the squad for Los Blancos!
So just what is Cristiano listening to at a time like this ?#cityvreal pic.twitter.com/w0NWu0BSaz
— AS English (@English_AS) April 26, 2016
7.15pmReal Madrid have only lost one of their last 12 games in all competitions and that was the first leg of their quarter-final against Wolfsburg in Germany. They looked out of the La Liga title race after losing 1-0 at home to capital rivals Atletico at the end of February, but they have incredibly won their last nine in the league to move to within one point of the leaders Barcelona with three games left.
7.18pmBarcelona have 82 points from their 35 La Liga games this season and currently lead second-place Atletico on the head-to-head record. Real Madrid are third with 81 points, but they also have a worse head-to-head record against Barcelona, which has left them in a difficult position. Real Madrid have to win all three of their final league games this season and hope that Barcelona and Atletico both slip-up.
7.22pmReal Madrid actually fell 2-0 behind away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday afternoon, but a header from Vasquez and brace from Bale turned the match around. That result followed a 3-0 home win over Villarreal and 5-1 victory at Getafe. The goals have seriously flowed in recent weeks!
7.25pm
No @Cristiano tonight but this man starts. He has 46 #UCL goals in 80 appearances. pic.twitter.com/b2vNC70cXO
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 26, 2016
7.28pmIn terms of what is left for Real Madrid this season – they will travel to Real Sociedad in the league this weekend, before hosting Valencia on May 8. They then end their La Liga campaign away to Deportivo La Coruna and it would be some story if they could win the title and then claim the Champions League crown. Zidane's position as head coach is far from secure, but a double of that kind would have to keep the Frenchman in a job. That said, this is Real Madrid so you never know!
7.32pmSo, Ronaldo is out tonight. But just how much of a blow is it for Real Madrid? The Portuguese has 16 goals in the Champions League this season, which is one short of the record for a single campaign, which he set during the 2013-14 campaign. There is talk that the 31-year-old will be allowed to leave the Bernabeu this summer, but he has 47 goals in 44 games this season and 360 in 344 appearances for the Spanish giants in total. Oh, there is also the small matter of his 78 goals in 73 Champions League games for Real Madrid. The man is an absolute machine, but a thigh problem keeps him out here!
7.35pmPREDICTION! I still fancy Real Madrid tonight, even without Ronaldo. Man City will have been boosted by the absence of the Portuguese, but I look at the two teams and I just think that the visitors could shade a first-leg victory. I am going to back a 2-1 Real Madrid success at the Etihad.
7.38pmReal Madrid need a massive game from this man tonight...
Ready / Listo #UCL ⚽ pic.twitter.com/rKy6ZJBvnD
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) April 26, 2016
7.42pmJust a reminder of the two teams that will start at the Etihad...
CITY: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, De Bruyne, Silva; Aguero
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Vasquez
7.44pmHere we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It is Man City against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League!
0 minKICKOFF! It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. Real Madrid are without Ronaldo, but they still have a whole host of wonderful players. Let's just hope that this game lives up to expectations! It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway here...
2 min... decent start from Man City, who are enjoying most of the early possession here. It will be fascinating to see just what approach Real Madrid take, especially in the opening 10, 15 minutes.
4 minKroos delivers the first corner of the match into the Man City box, but Kompany is on hand to make the clearance. Bale attacks Clichy down the right moments later, but the left-back does well to stick with the Welshman and make the challenge. Pretty open four minutes at the Etihad tonight.
5 minOtamendi is a touch fortunate to escape a booking for a late challenge on Benzema there.
7 minPossession football from Man City in the last couple of minutes and Navas attempts to slide a pass behind Pepe into Aguero, but the Real Madrid centre-back is on hand to make the challenge. Not much to report in terms of half-chances or the like, but both teams have showed their intent early on!
9 minReal Madrid have been guilty of conceding possession on a couple of occasions and Man City have the chance to threaten from the right, but there are no takers on Navas's delivery from a wide area.
11 minCasemiro flies into Fernandinho, but the referee does not punish the Real Madrid midfielder with a booking, which is in keeping with the opening 11 minutes. The battle lines have been drawn - that is for sure. The hosts Man City are just about shading the midfield battle at the moment.
13 minNo chances to report in the opening 13 minutes, but Man City have certainly made the brighter start to proceedings as they continue to work the ball across the pitch. Good stuff from the hosts.
15 minBale, under pressure, manages to deliver a brilliant cross into the Man City box, but Benzema cannot make contact and the home side manage to clear the danger. Man City are on the attack almost immediately and Silva looks to slide a pass into Aguero, but the ball is too strong for the Argentine.
17 minSuper stuff from Casemiro as the Brazilian covers Pepe and manages to challenge De Bruyne, who had run away from the Real Madrid centre-back. That is why Casemiro is a favourite under Zidane.
20 minWe are still waiting for the first chance of this match as both teams continue to cancel each other out. Real Madrid have clearly worked on a defensive shape and in fairness, they look solid at the moment. Man City are still hungry in midfield, however, as they continue to win back possession.
22 minHalf-chance for the away side as Bale runs away from Clichy before setting the ball back to Benzema, but Kompany is on hand to make the clearance. Man City just need to be careful here.
24 minReal Madrid are not exactly known as a defensive side, but they have taken up a nice shape in the opening 24 minutes here and Man City are finding it increasingly difficult to work a route through.
24 minBOOKING! Pepe (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on De Bruyne.
25 minKompany climbs to meet the free kick from De Bruyne, but the Man City captain fouled Casemiro.
26 minMan City have another free kick in a dangerous area as Ramos fells Fernandinho...
27 min... Pepe clears another wicked delivery from De Bruyne, before Navas collects a weak header from Otamendi. Decent bit of pressure from the home side, but still no real chances in this semi-final.
30 minDe Bruyne takes the ball away from Carvajal and looks to find Aguero, but Pepe is on hand to make the clearance as Real Madrid survive another dangerous moment. De Bruyne then strikes from outside the box and Modric makes the block. Poor from the visitors in the last couple of minutes.
32 minMan City are certainly on top at the moment as they continue to move the ball in the final third, but their latest attack comes to an end when Sagna is late in a challenge with Ramos. Still goalless here.
34 minThe best word to describe this first period would be 'cagey'. Man City have been the better team, but neither side has created a chance of note. Both goalkeepers have been very, very comfortable.
35 minBale strikes one from distance, but his effort deflects straight into the arms of Hart.
38 minPass, pass, pass from Man City as they continue to work the ball from left to right. It is not pretty from Real Madrid, but it is effective as they close the space outside their own box. Navas attempts to attack Marcelo down the right, but Kroos comes across and brings the Spaniard to the deck.
38 minBOOKING! Silva (Man City) is booked for a late challenge on Bale.
39 minSilva is holding his hamstring and might need to be replaced here!
40 minSilva's hamstring has gone and he is going to have to be replaced here.
41 minMAN CITY SUB! Iheanacho replaces Silva, who limps off the field.
43 minMan City enjoy a period of possession outside the Real Madrid box, but they are still struggling to find a route through and another attack comes to an end when Kroos hits the ball at Iheanacho.
45 minDecent spell for Real Madrid in the last couple of moments as they commit players forward, but Benzema cannot evade Sagna and Man City are back on the counter-attack. Still all square.
45 min+1Pepe sets up Benzema inside the Man City box, but the French striker fires over the target!
45 min+2We are into the second of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Man City 0-0 Real Madrid
8.33pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. It has been more tactical than entertaining and we did not have a chance of any note in the opening 45 minutes. If it were a boxing match though, Man City would be leading the bout on points.
8.38pmSTATISTICS! Man City have shaded the possession with 53%, but neither side has managed a single shot on target thus far at the Etihad. Man City have had more of the ball in forward positions, but without really threatening to make the breakthrough. The referee has been forced to get his card out on two separate occasions - Real's Pepe in the 24th minute and Man City's Silva in the 37th.
8.43pmBENCH WATCH! Man City have already been forced into one change - Iheanacho taking the place of Silva, who limped off with a hamstring problem in the 40th minute. However, Pellegrini still has attacking options in the shape of Delph and Sterling. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Isco, Jese Rodriguez and James Rodriguez on their bench tonight, but no Ronaldo!
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46 minRESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Will there be a breakthrough in this semi-final first leg? We shall see! Real Madrid resume the action...
46 min... REAL MADRID SUB! Jese Rodriguez has replaced Benzema at the break.
47 minSHOT! Much better from the home side as Fernandinho feeds Aguero outside the Real Madrid box and the Argentine settles himself before firing a powerful strike just over the target!
48 minPENALTY SHOUT! Bale goes down inside the box under a challenge from Otamendi, but the referee is not interested. Bale actually caught his own legs and it was the correct call!
50 minIt does appear that both teams will be more open in this second period, which is good news for us! You just get the feeling that one goal tonight would have a major say on the tie as a whole.
52 minPoor from Kroos as the Real Madrid midfielder fails to beat the first man from a corner and then stands in an offside position when the ball is recycled. Real Madrid have been so lacklustre here!
54 minBetter from Real Madrid as Modric delivers a super ball into Marcelo, who attempts to find Jese at the near post, but Kompany is on hand to make the clearance. Slick move from the visitors.
55 minMan City are forced to concede a corner after Kroos had delivered a wicked free kick into the home side's box. Bit of pressure from Real Madrid as this second period starts to gather pace. The resulting corner is met by Ramos, but his header is straight into the arms of the waiting Hart.
58 minNeither manager would be too disappointed if this game finished 0-0, which is the bottom line. Real Madrid would be the favourites in the second leg, but an away goal for Man City would place them in a strong position. We are still waiting for this game to really ignite with 58 minutes on the clock.
60 minSolid defending from Pepe as the Real Madrid centre-back comes across to confront De Bruyne, who had found space down the right. Moments later, Aguero finds himself inside the Real Madrid box, but the striker is penalised for a tug on Carvajal, who was a touch fortunate to get away with that!
62 minMarcelo lines one up outside the Man City box, but his strike hits Sagna. Decent spell of possession for the visitors though as they start to move the ball quicker in the final third of the field here.
64 minJese looks to release Vasquez with a through pass, but Kompany comes across to deal with the situation and gets a huge cheer from the home supporters. Still goalless with 64 on the clock.
66 minNavas and Fernandinho both go for the ball in a wide area as Man City threaten to break through, but the former is penalised for a shoulder on Casemiro and the referee blows for a free-kick.
67 minKroos fires a low strike wide of Hart's post as we remain all square here.
70 minYou just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match and it would have a massive say on the tie overall. Real Madrid are starting to press players forward and an away goal would be huge here.
72 minDe Bruyne looks to feed Aguero inside the Real Madrid box, but Modric is across to make the clearance and the visitors can break forward with Bale, who has space to attack down the left.
72 minCROSSBAR! Carvajal finds Jese with a super cross into the Man City box, but the Spaniard's header hits the crossbar and drops behind! Best chance of the match by some distance!
73 minModric hammers one over the crossbar as Real Madrid start to create openings here.
75 minCLOSE! Bale curls a super strike just wide of Hart's post!
77 minMAN CITY SUB! Sterling replaces Navas for the home side.
79 minLittle over 10 minutes of the second period remaining and Real Madrid continue to look the more likely to find a breakthrough here. Man City almost seem to have run out of ideas in this second period.
80 minSAVE! Hart gets down to keep out Casemiro from another Kroos corner!
81 minReal Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Marcelo is felled by Fernando...
82 min... Bale strikes the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall.
82 minSAVE! Oh my word what a save! Real Madrid just had to score as the ball fell to Pepe inside the box, but Hart was on hand to make a wonderful close-range stop! Good grief!
84 minMan City are fortunate - they should be behind after a really strong Real Madrid spell.
86 minMan City are struggling to make their mark at the moment as Real Madrid continue to look the most likely. It is very open, however, and players like Aguero only need one chance to find the net!
88 minReal Madrid are preparing to introduce Isco in place of Kroos here.
89 minDe Bruyne attempts to slide in Sterling, but the pass is too strong and Navas is out to claim.
90 minREAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Kroos for the away side.
90 min+1Sterling goes through for Man City, but Pepe is across to make the challenge!
90 min+2Pepe and Kompany have been the two best players on the pitch tonight.
90 min+2BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on De Bruyne.
90 min+3SAVE! Navas tips a De Bruyne free kick over the crossbar!
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Man City 0-0 Real Madrid
9.39pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close at the Etihad with the score level at 0-0. Real Madrid certainly improved in the second half, but neither really did enough to deserve to win. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
