UEFA Champions League

Spain's Minister of Health has confirmed Barcelona's UEFA Champions League tie with Napoli does not need to be played behind closed doors amid concerns over the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Barca will host Napoli at the Camp Nou in the second leg of their last-16 tie on March 18.

Salvador Illa told RAC1 (h/t Football-Italia):

"The match is not at risk. There is no danger of the game having to be played behind closed doors.

"We have decided to close the stadiums only for the games that would be attended by people from the affected areas but that's not the case here.

"The only thing that we are preoccupied with is the exodus of many fans.

"The Champions League game between Barcelona and Napoli could be played regularly, as Naples is not currently in the zone at risk, like northern Italy."

Illa's comments come after UEFA confirmed Atalanta's Champions League clash with Valencia and Inter Milan's UEFA Europa League match with Getafe will be played in empty stadiums:

Following decisions taken by authorities in Italy and Spain respectively, and related to measures regarding the COVID-19 virus, two UEFA club competition matches will go ahead next week as scheduled, but behind closed doors...

🇪🇸 Valencia v Atalanta 🇮🇹
🇮🇹 Inter v Getafe 🇪🇸

— UEFA (@UEFA) March 5, 2020

Italy has been hit hard by the virus:

Another big spike in #coronavirus numbers in #ITALY. Death toll has again doubled in 48 hours- 148 dead now, 41 more than y’day. 3,858 infected- nearly 800 more than y’day. Its daily infections are 4 times higher than China’s.

— Bill Neely (@BillNeelyReport) March 5, 2020

Only China, where the virus was first discovered, and South Korea have had more confirmed cases.

Bergamo—where Atalanta are based—and Milan are located in the northern region of Lombardy, which has been one of the worst affected by the outbreak of the virus. Naples is in the southern region of Campania.

All matches to be played in Italy until April 3 will take place behind closed doors.

Several fixtures that were supposed to be played last weekend were also postponed, including Juventus' clash with Inter, a match that could have significant ramifications for the title race. It will be played on Sunday.

Barca and Napoli played out a 1-1 draw at the latter's San Paolo Stadium on February 25.

Antoine Griezmann cancelled out Dries Mertens' opener, giving the Catalan giants an away goal to bring back to the Camp Nou.

Valencia's upcoming UEFA Champions League clash with Atalanta will take place behind closed doors because of fears over the coronavirus spreading. 

Per Football Italia, local authorities in Spain have decided not to let any fans attend Tuesday's match. The basketball contest between Valencia and Armani Milano will also take place behind closed doors.

Regional Minister for Public Health Ana Barcelo explained the decision: "The decision to play behind closed doors at the Mestalla is final and irrevocable. It is not an issue of controlling those who enter the stadium. It is a public health issue that applies to all."

Italy has been hit hard by the virus, with over 3,000 confirmed cases already, per the New York Times. The Italian government has decided to close all sporting events to the public for the foreseeable future as a result, per Football Italia. It also means that some of the world's biggest one-day cycling events, like Milan-San Remo and the Strade Bianchi, are in danger of not going ahead:

These are the races that will be canceled/postponed in another date pic.twitter.com/r6wlQKa9AA

— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) March 4, 2020

Atalanta play their domestic football in Bergamo, while their Champions League matches have taken place at the legendary San Siro stadium in Milan. Both cities lie in the Lombardy region, which is among those hit the hardest by the virus.

According to Eurosport's Siavoush Fallahi, the UEFA Europa League clash between Getafe and Inter Milan will also be played in an empty stadium:

Getafe-Inter and Valencia - Atalanta in front of closed doors. Even the Spanish authorities handle Italian team better than the italian football federation

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) March 3, 2020

Atalanta beat Valencia 4-1 in the first leg of their Champions League tie, their first-ever appearance in the knockout stages:

The Italian minnows have been among Europe's most entertaining teams this season, despite their minuscule budget in comparison to the competition's elite. In Serie A, they lead the scoring charts with 70 goals in 25 matches, having scored 21 more goals than defending champions Juventus.

Valencia will be gunning for a miracle comeback at the Mestalla stadium. They have just one win in their last six matches across all competitions, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those outings.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said on Monday there are no plans to change the scheduling of Juventus' UEFA Champions League clash with Lyon on March 17 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

He told L'Equipe (h/t Football-Italia): "We are following the evolution of the epidemic carefully. There's currently no cancellation of any consignment. But we will follow the decisions that will be made in the individual states."

Juve were supposed to play at home to Inter Milan on Sunday, but the match—after initially being slated to be played behind closed doors—was postponed until May.

Turin is in Piedmont, one of several regions in Italy in which events have been shut down following the outbreak.

The Guardian's Angela Giuffrida reported on Monday there have been 1,835 confirmed cases in Italy, while the death toll has risen from 34 to 52 since Sunday.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas suggested to reporters on Sunday the fixture could be played at a neutral venue: "I am waiting to see what UEFA will say. I hope the news is good and, at worst, if we have to play on neutral territory, then we will do it."

Aulas also referred to Juve having cancelled training for their under-23s. The reserve side played Pianese—of whom three players and the manager have since tested positive for the virus—in Serie C.

The first team have continued to train, though, having done so on Saturday and Monday. 

Lyon hold a 1-0 lead over the Bianconeri in the last-16 tie after Lucas Tousart's goal in the 31st minute of the first leg (U.S., UK only respectively):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232766286251384833

Football writer Carlo Garganese and The Athletic's James Horncastle were critical of the Serie A giants' performance in the contest:

Lyon 1-0 Juventus: Took until 5 minutes from full time for Juve to even have a shot on goal. This was an embarrassing performance vs a team that is 7th in Ligue 1 & has beaten only 1 top 10 team in France this season. If Juve go through, they won’t go far in CL #LYOJUV

— Carlo Garganese (@carlogarganese) February 26, 2020

Not a huge surprise considering what we’ve seen from Juve over the last month. Even so, the slackness of the passing, the passivity in defence, the vulnerability of the right-hand side, the lack of any threat apart from a couple of crosses from Ronaldo, Aouar toying with Cuadrado

— James Horncastle OMRI (@JamesHorncastle) February 26, 2020

Juve will need to score at least three if Lyon manage to grab an away goal. They've hit three or more goals in a game on eight occasions this season.

The Bianconeri will be encouraged by last season, when they won 3-0 at home to Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the last 16 after being beaten 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano.

They also have Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks. He has 25 goals in all competitions this season, albeit he has only scored twice in the Champions League.

Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has said he believes Pep Guardiola will win another UEFA Champions League in the future.

The former Blaugrana captain, who played under the Manchester City coach at the Camp Nou, told SPOX and Martin Volkmar of Goal he thinks Guardiola is destined to conquer Europe's biggest club competition once again after capturing the title twice as Barca coach:

"For me, Pep is the best coach I had and the best coach in the world.

"You can immediately tell that a team is coached by Pep by the way it plays. That's why I'm convinced he will win that title again.

"I can't say whether it will be with Manchester City, but they will focus a lot on that competition as it is practically impossible to catch Liverpool in the Premier League."

City shocked Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, handing the Premier League champions a precious advantage in their quest to make the quarter-finals.

Guardiola's tactics outfoxed Zinedine Zidane in the Spanish capital, and Real were picked apart by the English side.

City are preparing to serve a two-year ban from European competition from next season, limiting Guardiola's opportunity of lifting the European Cup in the short term. However, the Manchester club are appealing their exclusion and could have their punishment reduced or overturned.

Guardiola said City's impeding ban will not make him look elsewhere to win honours, and he wants to stay at the Etihad Stadium, per Sky Sports' Soccer AM:

"Unless they sack me, I will stay here" 🔵

Pep confirms he is 100% staying at Man City! 👍 pic.twitter.com/5I7YeZ7cm9

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) February 19, 2020

City have stumbled in the Champions League over the past decade and have struggled to navigate through the knockout rounds. The club reached the last four in 2015-16 but have underperformed during campaigns of high hopes in Europe.

However, this season represents an excellent opportunity for Guardiola and City. With the Premier League title race all but run, and with the Sky Blues 16 points clear of fifth, the English champions can immediately throw all of their resources and endeavour at capturing their first Champions League crown.  

Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo has said his side "could have done more damage" to Real Madrid after they came from behind to win 2-1 in their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 first leg on Wednesday.

The Citizens will bring a valuable advantage back to the Etihad Stadium after late goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne saw them take the victory in the Spanish capital.

Real captain Sergio Ramos was also sent off for the hosts, but Rodrigo, also known as Rodri, said the result could have been even worse for Los Blancos, per ESPN FC's Rob Dawson:

"They dropped in the last 10 minutes, we detected that and if the game had lasted a little longer, we could have done more damage still. But given the way the game was it is a very good result for us.

"We showed strength when things went badly and that's what we have lacked this season. We managed to do something that we have lacked all season which is hold on in the bad moments, have personality, demonstrate that and not lose our shape or control."

De Bruyne and Jesus combined to kickstart City's revival when the latter headed the former's cross past Thibaut Courtois in the 78th minute to give the Citizens a lifeline at the Santiago Bernabeu (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232864429664079872

Pep Guardiola's side were bossed out of the game's early exchanges and took just 26.9 percent of possession after the first 10 minutes, per WhoScored.com.

The visiting team grew into the game, but Rodrigo's misplaced pass in midfield gave Real their chance for Isco's breakthrough (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232777561723240448

Ramos was the last man back for Real in the 86th minute, when his pull on Jesus was enough to send the Brazilian tumbling, and his absence in the second leg is sure to be felt by Real. Riyad Mahrez couldn't make the most of the resulting free-kick, another glaring opportunity for City to increase their lead further.

Guardiola said after the game that the tie is far from decided and that he is expecting a resilient response from Zinedine Zidane's men in the reverse fixture, as Football Daily shared:

Pep Guardiola on Manchester City's win over Real Madrid

🗣"The second game will be different, today we're happy but closer to the second leg we'll be worried" pic.twitter.com/2yKKxzkCGj

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 27, 2020

It's perhaps unsurprising that Rodrigo—who joined City from Real rivals Atletico Madrid last summer—is inclined to rub salt in the wound following such a memorable victory. The 23-year-old has become an important member of Guardiola's lineup in his maiden season in England and recently broke the Premier League record for most passes in a single game:

Rodri completed 178 passes for Man City, the most in the #PL since records began (2003/04)#MCIWHU pic.twitter.com/GsiAC1hf19

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 20, 2020

He echoed his manager's comments, adding the round-of-16 tie is "not done at all." City will hope they aren't made to regret their missed chances when the teams meet again in Manchester on March 17.

Casemiro believes if any team can come back from a 2-1 defeat against Manchester City, it is Real Madrid.

Los Blancos were beaten late in the UEFA Champions League against the Sky Blues on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

They were leading the first leg of their last-16 tie 1-0 after Isco's goal on the hour, but then Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne scored in the last 12 minutes to put the Sky Blues in the driving seat to advance to the quarter-finals:

77’: 1-0
FT: 1-2

That escalated quickly 🤯 pic.twitter.com/r4JcghKK0Y

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 26, 2020

Real must go to the Etihad Stadium for the return leg on March 17 and win well if they are to keep their dream alive of taking a fifth Champions League title in seven seasons.

Casemiro was bullish after Wednesday's game about Real's ability to get the right result in Manchester, per Marca:

"The tie isn't over. If there's a team that can come back, it's Real Madrid. We had a fantastic first 75 minutes, and we didn't do what we had to do for 15 minutes and they came back. This isn't over, but there's lots of work to do."

Real's schedule is unrelenting. They host Barcelona in the second El Clasico of the season on Sunday in a potentially defining fixture in La Liga's title race:

✅ Matchday 25!

Where is your team in #LaLigaSantander Standings now? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/sk8H0Jrnl8

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 23, 2020

Casemiro added that Los Blancos must focus on the Blaugrana before a "very difficult" visit to England.

City have a potential advantage over Real in that they have no title race to focus on.

It is not what Pep Guardiola and his side would have wanted before the start of the season, but the Champions League has become their main focus as they are 22 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table.

As such, Guardiola may well decide to rotate his squad to ensure his key players are in peak condition for the visit of Real and any potential further rounds of Europe's premier club competition.

Real manager Zinedine Zidane will not have that luxury. He will not only need to put his best side out for Sunday's match against Barcelona but also for the subsequent league fixtures against Real Betis and Eibar that take place before the second leg. 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Real Madrid are capable of a second-leg turnaround after his side came from behind to win 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. He also said a meticulous 10 days of planning helped seal a historic win for his club. 

Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne each scored in the final 12 minutes of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash in Madrid where Isco had put the hosts ahead after an hour.

The two teams reconvene at the Etihad Stadium on March 17, and Guardiola told reporters Zinedine Zidane's side—who won three straight European crowns between 2016 and 2018—are capable of a comeback. Asked whether the two-legged tie was over, he replied:

"No. If there's a team that can come back against anything, it's Real Madrid.

"We conceded a goal when we were the better team, and then we scored when they were the better team. But the Champions League is like this: ups and downs.

"[Thibaut] Courtois was immense. It's a good result because we scored two goals. We've won nothing, but winning at the Bernabeu is very satisfying, because we're not used to these things."

Vinicius Jr. teed up Isco to break the deadlock, but De Bruyne showed great composure to find Jesus inside the box for City's first (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232864429664079872

Raheem Sterling—who had been injured prior to the first leg—came on and won the deciding penalty in the 82nd minute. De Bruyne converted, and Real's hopes of advancing diminished further after captain Sergio Ramos was shown a late red card (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232785073927344130

Ajax knocked Los Blancos out of the Champions League at this stage of the competition last year, while City are targeting their third consecutive run to the quarter-finals.

Guardiola's tactics and personnel selection appeared to set his side up in a more defensive manner, with Sergio Aguero benched in favour of the more workmanlike Jesus. He spoke about his research and strategising ahead of the clash, per James Robson of the Evening Standard:

"We had 10 free days, and in those days I watched the most amount of matches of Real Madrid, their defensive game was different. That's why we changed, the space was to attack, but never since I've been a coach have I gone to defend.

"Maybe I provide too much information. I have to know the opponents, they press a lot. They did that in the Camp Nou, and I thought they'd do it at home. They steal the balls and make passes, you see after conceding the goal, you have to protect."

The heat map of Jesus showed the striker stuck largely to the left wing and was a big factor in defence, while winger Bernardo Silva roamed, sometimes as a less conventional frontman, per WhoScored.com.

Spanish football writer Guillem Balague remarked upon Guardiola's efforts to exploit the wide areas using Jesus in an altered role:

they defend so well when the ball in front of them and worst when they have to defend wide attacks. Hence him asking Jesus, who is one of the top strikers in the world without the ball, to play wide.

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 26, 2020

The Athletic's Sam Lee praised the level of research conducted by the Citizens boss, whose side became the first English team to win at the Bernabeu since Liverpool in February 2009:

Odd for Guardiola to admit so much about the behind-the-scenes preparation in a press conference, but very welcome all the same. This is a great example of how much work he puts into analysis of the opponent (too much? 😉) https://t.co/GfyqM0je9y

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) February 26, 2020

Zidane finds himself in an unfamiliar position with his side chasing the game following the home leg. Real have only one win from their last five games across all competitions and have now lost their last two in a row.

Guardiola emerged as victor in the first competitive meeting between the pair as managers, but City's coach remains wary of succumbing to a comeback himself when the two teams clash again in three weeks.

Maurizio Sarri bemoaned his Juventus side's inability "to understand the importance of moving the ball quickly" after their 1-0 loss to Lyon on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

Juve were widely expected to brush aside Lyon in the first knockout round given the French outfit sit a lowly seventh in Ligue 1. But the Old Lady have work to do in the second leg in Turin on March 17 if they are to reach the quarter-finals and keep their dream alive of winning Europe's biggest prize for the first time in 24 years.

Remarkably for a side boasting Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain, Juve did not manage a shot on target in 90 minutes at the Groupama Stadium:

0 - Juventus have not made a shot on target against Lyon: in the Champions League, since 2004/05, it is only the third time that the Bianconeri have failed to do it (vs Atletico in 2014 and vs Arsenal in 2006 ). Off. #OLJuve

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 26, 2020

Meanwhile, Lyon took full advantage of Matthijs de Ligt's brief absence from the pitch due to a head injury to take the lead through Lucas Tousart in the 31st minute:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232766286251384833

A BIG goal for the home side!

Lyon take the lead against Juventus, with Lucas Tousart converting from close range...

Look out for the goalkeeper's celebration 😅 pic.twitter.com/Xo82tC2DYi

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2020

After the match, Sarri did not pull his punches when analysing his side's performance, per Sky Sport Italia (h/t MailOnline's Danny Gallagher):

"We lacked determination and aggression when attacking, and for 15 minutes lacked it defensively too. We were unlucky to concede when De Ligt was off injured. The second half was better, but frankly it's not enough for a Champions League match. I don't know why I cannot get the players to understand the importance of moving the ball quickly. 

"This is fundamental, we'll keep working on it and sooner or later this concept will get into their heads. I continued to tell them, and there were many who were doing it, moving the ball too slowly and therefore getting into the wrong positions."

Last season in the first knockout round, Juventus went to Atletico Madrid for the first leg and lost 2-0, but they advanced after Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in the return leg. Their job is simpler this term given the deficit is only one goal and Lyon are theoretically easier opponents than Atleti.

Caesars Palace still has Juve as strong favourites to advance to the last eight.

However, Wednesday's performance raised the question of whether they are capable of going all the way in the Champions League, even with Ronaldo in top form:

Juventus have now played five UCL knockout games since Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club, Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player who is scored for them in those games.

Can’t do it all. 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/sZwnWBB6XH

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 26, 2020

The Portuguese superstar was signed by the Old Lady from Real Madrid specifically to help them finally win the trophy for a third time—they have lost five finals since last winning in 1996.

But with Sarri's side also involved in a fierce Serie A title battle, the chances of Juve winning the Champions League this season seem slight.

Vinicius Jr. has said "everyone knows" Gabriel Jesus pushed Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos in the lead-up to Manchester City's equaliser in their 2-1 win at Real Madrid on Tuesday. Real manager Zinedine Zidane also hinted the contact constituted a foul and said "that moment was key." 

Isco broke the deadlock in the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Jesus headed City level before Kevin De Bruyne converted a penalty in the 83rd minute.

Vinicius told reporters after the game: "Jesus commits the foul, and everyone knows it was a foul. They always take decisions against us. I didn't need to see it again in the dressing room. It was a foul. Every game it's the same."

Jesus made contact with the back of defender Ramos just prior to scoring the equaliser, but a check with the video assistant referee cleared the Brazilian (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232864429664079872

Zidane, who said he spoke with referee Daniele Orsato about the incident, added in his post-match press conference:

"He said there wasn't anything, he hadn't seen anything, there was no push. It's the referee's decision and that's all. What annoys me is what we did, playing well and then 10 minutes at the end changed the game. The mistakes we made, it hurts, we don't deserve it, but that's football. That moment was key."

Los Blancos went ahead on the hour mark and led for 18 minutes before Jesus struck. They will also be without Ramos for the second leg after he was sent off for a last-man foul on Jesus four minutes from full time (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232785073927344130

Jesus acknowledged there was contact between him and Ramos in the buildup to his header but told Movistar (h/t ESPN FC's Alex Kirkland): "Football is a contact sport. I didn't push him. I barely put my hands on him. It's not a foul."

Ramos has been guilty of the same kind of gamesmanship in the past:

Ramos getting a taste of his own medicine from Jesus tonight. Sly push in the back for the goal, then runs across him to get him sent off. #MCIRMA

— James Nalton (@JDNalton) February 26, 2020

The visitors ended up with the greater share of clear scoring opportunities following Real's late collapse. England star Raheem Sterling played an important role off the bench, having a hand in Jesus' equaliser before he won the penalty that decided the first-leg result, footage via BT Sport (UK viewers only):

City became the first English team to beat Real at the Bernabeu since February 2009, when Liverpool clinched a 1-0 win away in that season's UEFA Champions League round of 16.

De Bruyne—who was named man of the match following his goal and assist—praised his team for their reaction after falling behind:

A stunner from this man tonight... check-out @DeBruyneKev's verdict!

⚪️ 1-2 🔵 #ManCity #UCL pic.twitter.com/DEofSTNNvv

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 26, 2020

Guardiola described Jesus as "so fast and so good" in his post-match comments but was cautious of a second-leg comeback: "If there's one team in the world that can overcome it, it's [Real Madrid] with their experience and their history. Hopefully we can give a good performance and go through." 

Real have lost two games in a row following Saturday's surprise 1-0 defeat at Levante, and they have won just a single match in their past five outings across all competitions.

City may fancy their chances of advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals for a third straight year after the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 17, when Ramos' absence could prove key.

Pep Guardiola's blueprints are just different to those the rest of us are reading from. The Manchester City boss sprung a tactical surprise of epic, eyebrow-raising and head-scratching proportions against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday night.

Yet no matter how unorthodox City's Sergio Aguero-less formation, with other star names thrust into alien roles, appeared to the untrained eye, Guardiola's tactics were vindicated. The Citizens left the Santiago Bernabeu with a 2-1 win and a vital platform to ensure progress into the next round.

Real were soundly beaten because City managed to expose a creaking defence where 33-year-old Sergio Ramos has been allowed to remain the beating heart for too long. The skipper was sent off four minutes from time to complete a miserable night.

If Real have any hope of turning things around in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, March 17, it comes from the performance of Vinicius Junior. The 19-year-old Brazilian wowed the otherwise frustrated home fans with his pace and tricks, qualities City right-back Kyle Walker found less entertaining.

Speaking of a miserable night for Champions League royalty, Cristiano Ronaldo endured one to forget when Juventus lost 1-0 in Lyon. Denied decent serve from a totally outplayed midfield undermined by Miralem Pjanic's drab performance, Ronaldo barely made a dent in the Lyon defence.

             

Wednesday Scores

• Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
• Lyon 1-0 Juventus

         

Winner: Pep Guardiola' Tactics

Having his approach to marquee European ties questioned by Thomas Muller obviously motivated Guardiola to come up with something special. His answer was a creative use of personnel that deployed striker Gabriel Jesus on the left wing while midfield playmakers Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva operated further forward:

So that’s a 4-4-2 for City, with two false No9s and the number nine, playing left midfield

— James Robson (@jamesalanrobson) February 26, 2020

With Riyad Mahrez on the right wing, City had a traditional but interchangeable shape, with its rotations defined by fluid movement from De Bruyne, Silva and Jesus. Without the ball this was a classic 4-4-2, with dual pressers at the front and two rigid banks of four behind them.

Real were unable to break this block because Luka Modric couldn't find gaps to thread his passes through. Meanwhile, the set midfield barrier enabled City to put two centre-backs around lone striker Karim Benzema and render the Frenchman moot.

Even after Aymeric Laporte went off injured and Fernandinho entered the fray to resume his makeshift role as an auxiliary central defender, City stayed in shape and stood firm.

The most impressive aspect of Guardiola's plan was how many of his players responded to the extra responsibilities created by their new positions. De Bruyne and Silva never tired from denying Ramos and Co. the time to play out from the back, nor from making runs through the middle to act as strikers.

Jesus was City's only natural centre-forward on the pitch, but the No. 9 didn't shy away from putting in a shift on the flank.

Gabriel Jesus' game by numbers vs. Real Madrid:

95% pass accuracy
42 touches
14 duels contested
8 recoveries
4 shots
3 chances created
3/3 take ons
2 tackles
2 interceptions
1 huge goal

Absolutely everywhere. 👏 pic.twitter.com/q4rTdqpcI7

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 26, 2020

His industry was rewarded with the equaliser, headed in on 78 minutes, as well as winning the foul that saw Ramos dismissed. In between, De Bruyne stuck away the penalty substitute Raheem Sterling had won from Dani Carvajal to complete a memorable European adventure for City.

The real hero was Guardiola, who would have been made to look foolish if his strategic gamble had backfired. Instead, his tactical nuances could prove to be City's best weapon in the quest to lift this trophy with a UEFA ban looming.

         

Loser: Sergio Ramos

There's no arguing with Ramos' pedigree in this tournament. He's won four trophies and been a rock for Real in numerous big games.

However, there comes at time when even the most battle-hardened player begins to feel time catching up. Ramos' time may be now after he was exposed over and over again by City's superior fitness, tactical acumen and intensity.

Sergio Ramos vs. Man City:

• Beaten in the air for Man City’s equaliser (78th minute)

• Sent off (86th minute)

A night to forget. 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/mSyWowxxP5

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 26, 2020

It was telling both of those low moments for Ramos came when Jesus moved centrally after Sterling was introduced for Silva in the 73rd minute. The Brazilian's pace and timing made Ramos look every year of his age, most notably when Jesus wriggled free and the veteran was left with little choice but to trip the forward on the edge of the box.

Red cards are nothing new for Ramos at his level:

4 - Sergio Ramos has conceded his 4th red card in the Champions League, he ties Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edgar Davids for the most. Bully. #RMAMCI pic.twitter.com/bEU275iX3Y

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) February 26, 2020

Even so, this one felt different. It felt like the beginning of the end for one of the most successful players of the modern era.

If Real are sent packing, refreshing the middle of the defence has to be the priority this summer.

       

Winner: Vinicius Junior

Emerging as a winner on a losing team is never easy, but Vinicius managed it. That he merits such praise despite an embarrassing slip when faced with a tap-in during the first half, speaks volumes about the rest of the winger's game.

His display packed in artistry, improv and awesome athleticism.

https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1232761292475240457

The latter quality was embodied by the way Vinicius repeatedly ran Walker ragged. He's no slouch in the pace department, but Walker needed all the help he could get to keep Vinicius under wraps.

Help arrived in the form of Mahrez, a player hardly known for a desire to track back and get stuck in. Yet Vinicius' threat was enough to turn Mahrez into a makeshift defender, but the teenager still managed to tee up Isco's goal to help keep the tie alive.

Real lost the magic in attack when Ronaldo moved to Turin in 2018, but Vinicius can add the flourish Zinedine Zidane's team has been missing.

        

Loser: Miralem Pjanic

Ronaldo hardly sparkled in France, but he could be forgiven for pointing the finger of blame at those required to provide him with chances. Specifically, Pjanic was one step behind the rhythm of the game before being substituted for Aaron Ramsey two minutes after the hour mark.

Pjanic couldn't find the right passes, while his touch, timing and technique were all off, leaving Ronaldo's runs wasted. The 29-year-old is a gifted flair player astute enough to unlock any defence when at his best.

Unfortunately, his recent displays have some wishing the set-piece specialist could be used selectively:

Can Juventus implement a new rule where they can sub Pjanic on only for free kicks and then be able to take him out right away?

— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) February 26, 2020

Ironically, Ronaldo's insistence on prolonging a dire run in this area is making Pjanic's core skill irrelevant:

0/25 - 🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo’s last 25 direct free kick shots in the Champions League:
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌
Pjanic?#OLJuve pic.twitter.com/KtkMtbqFM9

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) February 26, 2020

Maybe it's Ronaldo's way of getting revenge for Pjanic's lack of creativity.