Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Casemiro's absence was a key factor in the Champions League defeat

Real Madrid suffered a 4-3 loss at Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final fixture on Tuesday. The Los Blancos’ defence looked to be in sixes and sevens and the absence of defensive midfielder Casemiro seems to have been a major reason for their defeat. Goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus put the hosts 2-0 up inside the opening half-hour before Karim Benzema pulled on back for Real Madrid. After the break, Vinicius Junior canceled out Phil Foden’s header before Bernanrdo Silva restored Man City’s two goal lead. But Benzema’s second of the night reduced the deficit for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

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? FT: @ManCity 4-3 @realmadriden
⚽ De Bruyne 2′, Gabriel Jesús 11′, Foden 53′, Bernardo Silva 74′; @Benzema 33′, 81′ (p), @ViniJr 55′ #UCL | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/gwt6fL9jsK

— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) April 26, 2022

Casemiro has been out of action since the quarter-final second leg loss to Chelsea at Santiago Bernabeu. The Brazilian was suspended for the match against Sevilla and then missed the Osasuna trip because of a muscle issue. He was part of the squad that traveled to Manchester, but wasn’t introduced at any stage of the game. 

The 30-year-old has played a key role in Real Madrid’s run to the last four of the competition. He sits in front of the back four and provides the much needed cover to the defence. 

However, because of Casemiro’s absence, Man City attackers found it much easier to get into goal-scoring positions. Man City’s opener was a perfect example of that, as Riyad Mahrez cut inside from the right and delivered an inswinging cross for De Bruyne to head home from inside the box. 

De Bruyne easily made his way into the penalty area without getting interrupted. Either Toni Kroos or Federico Valverede should have stayed with the Belgian goal-scorer. Both Kroos and Valverde are attack minded midfielders. 

Few moments later, De Bruyne’s cross led to the second goal. The 30-year-old’s low cross from the left found Jesus inside the box. The Brazilian’s first touch allowed him to get past his marker David Alaba and slotted home past Thibaut Courtois into the back of the net. Once again, De Bruyne was given too much space to pick his pass. 

Real Madrid midfielders weren’t putting enough pressure on their opponents and the likes of De Bruyne, Mahrez and Foden were consistent;ly having a go at the goal. On 25 minutes, Silva released Mahrez on the right channel, the Algerian had enough space to test the keeper, but his effort sidenetted. 

Three minutes later, De Bruyne played a fantastic first-time pass to release Foden down the left channel but once again, the Man city attacker wasn’t clinical enough and missed the target. 

Meanwhile Benzema didn’t need too many invitations to get on the score-sheet as he volleyed home from Ferland Mendy’s cross. It was the Frenchman’s first sight at goal as he managed to halve the deficit. 

John Stones’ injury proved costly for Man City

But Man City lost their defensive solidity when defender John Stones, who was carrying an injury into the game, had to be substituted with Fernandinho after the hour-mark. Stones was the man of the match in the goalless draw against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the quarter-finals. 37-year-old Fernandinho, who was deployed at the right-back position, struggled to cope with Vinicius’ pace. 

In the 55th minute, Vinicius made a brilliant turn to get the better of Fernandinho on the half-way mark and raced all the way into the Man City penalty area before depositing the ball into the far bottom corner. Two minutes before the goal, Foden had headed home from Fernandinho’s inch-perfect cross. 

As the game progressed, it turned out to be an end-to-end affair. Silva’s stunning strike, 16 minutes from time, made the score 4-2 in favour of Man City before Benzema converted a spot kick to make it 4-3, after Laporte had handled the ball inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. 

Although Guardiola’s side has a slight advantage heading into the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu, next week. The tie is still finely poised considering the attacking threat Madrid possess.