Manchester City secured a narrow first-leg advantage in their Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid.
The Premier League champions wrapped up the 1-0 victory courtesy of Kevin De Bruyne’s well-placed finish after the break.
It was a first half that didn’t result in a single shot on target for either side, with City reduced to efforts from distance.
Joao Cancelo, Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri and John Stones all fired wide in an opening 45 minutes where City dominated but were unable to find any gaps in Atletico’s watertight defence.
Meanwhile, the visitors didn’t manage to register a shot of any description, as they failed to cross the halfway on more than a handful of occasions.
That continued after the break, with De Bruyne beginning to have more of an impact on the game. The Belgian fired a free-kick wide and set up Raheem Sterling in the box, although the winger sliced it past Jan Oblak’s far post.
It took until 70 minutes to find a breakthrough for the hosts, but it was De Bruyne who provided it after he was played in on goal via Phil Foden’s pass, just minutes after the latter’s introduction.
De Bruyne placed the ball from a narrow angle past Oblak, to net what could be a hugely pivotal goal in the tie.
After that, City did manage a few more chances, with De Bruyne again seeing a shot blocked, while also blazing an effort over in the latter stages.
Here’s how we rated the players...
1. Ederson- 6
Didn’t face a single shot on target all night and barely had any touches of the ball.
2. Joao Cancelo- 7
Was City’s best player in the first half, and posed the greatest threat for Atletico’s backline. His levels dropped a little after the break, but he still threatened with his penetrative crosses and runs.
3. John Stones- 6
Had a verbal exchange with Guardiola during the game for not moving the ball quick enough, and the defender saw more of it than most. Stones tried to push forward and had a first-half shot which went wide.
4. Aymeric Laporte- 6
Sat as the deepest player on the pitch and gave more licence for City’s other defenders to push forward.