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...
5. Nathan Ake- 7
Performed well in an unorthodox position, and his tucking inside allowed Cancelo greater opportunity to advance on the opposite flank. Ake also defended well for the hosts.
6. Rodri- 6
Received the ball a lot, but misplaced more passes than would be expected of the former Atletico man. However, the midfielder improved after the break and was a physical presence in the middle.
7. Kevin De Bruyne- 7
Was always an option to the man on the ball and often pulled out wide to find spaces. The No.17 misplaced more passes than is customary, but he improved after the break and got the decisive with 20 left. Following a slow first period De Bruyne dominated after the break and is our man of the match.
8. Ilkay Gundogan- 6 (off 68)
Did brilliantly to track back and stop Antoine Griezmann’s breakaway in the second period, but didn’t manage to create many chances over the 68 minutes.