Valverde hat-trick gives Manchester City a mountain to climb against Real Madrid
REAL STATEMENT: Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates scoring his and his side's third. Pic: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.
Never, ever rule out Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Not after a night in which Federico Valverde destroyed Manchester City with a first-half hat-trick that summed up why Los Blancos always have the potential to be Galacticos.
Even when they have been in miserable form and have their biggest stars out injured Valverde’s third goal, just before half-time, was so sublime that it will be replayed for the rest of the season and instantly wiped-out memories of what has been a forgettable campaign so far – to the extent that bookies had City as big favourites to win in the Bernabeu.
The odds makers obviously hadn’t read the history books because Real have a habit of turning up in this competition when they really need to; and the fact they did so against old rival Pep Guardiola simply added to the occasion.
Recent results have seen Real lose at home to Getafe, struggle to beat Benfica in a Champions League play-off - and lose at Osasuna. Yet despite that (plus an injury crisis that left Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham in the stands) their inner belief that this competition belongs to them simply took over once again.
There have been 18 finals and 15 titles for Real in Europe’s showcase competition and there’s something about their attitude to it, a sense of ownership perhaps, that transforms the team when they really need to find another gear. Which is exactly what they found against out-of-touch City as they pinged the ball around with an energy and pizzaz that has been badly missing this season.
City won here 2-1 back in December in the league stage, coming from behind thanks to goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland. But a lot has changed since then, not least the departure of manager Xabi Alonso from the Bernabeu to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa, and Real’s fading form which sees them sit second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona.
No wonder Guardiola arrived in Spain with an attacking line up that saw Antoine Semenyo, Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Savinho all on the pitch; but it proved misguided and unbalanced.
The opening minutes promised a goal fest, with both sides attacking at will and Braham Diaz forcing a smart save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, whilst Doku was electric down the left at the other end.
For all the energy and skill, however, it was a route one move that put Real ahead after 20 minutes.
Captain Valverde raced onto a long, long pass from Courtois, which flew too easily over the head of the hapless O’Reilly, before Donnarumma made a total mess of stopping him (even appearing to pull away his left arm when he could have diverted the ball). Perhaps the former PSG man lost his bearings and thought he was outside the area - but the mistake was deadly as Valverde, who was definitely inside the box, finished superbly for 1-0.
This was starting to look like a very different Real side than the one which struggled so badly against Benfica. A fact that was confirmed when Valverde grabbed another, this time with his left foot from the other side of the pitch, whipping the ball past Donnarumma again.
His hat-trick came just before half-time in a move which began with a sprint down the left by Vinicius but ended with sublime skill from his captain, who collected a lobbed pass from Diaz and cooly lifted it over the head of Guehi before smashing home from close range. The touch to set up the finish was possibly the moment of the match.
What a remarkable achievement for a player who had never scored a hat-trick in his career at the age of 27 and who often leaves the headlines to others.
As for City, it was a chastening first half in which Haaland, with only 3 goals in his last 12 games, was anonymous and his teammates unable to cope with the pace of passing from opponents who looked on a different level.
Guardiola brought on Tijani Reinders after the break to strengthen his midfield, but it appeared to make little difference – because the middle of the pitch was the area in which City looked badly lacking.
Real almost made it four with a brilliant run and shot from Diaz, saved superbly this time by Donnarumma and City escaped again after 56 minutes when another long ball allowed Vinicius to run from his own half to win a penalty when brought down by Donnarumma. The big keeper made amends by saving the spot-kick – but City couldn’t take advantage.
The only excitement for City fans was seeing O’Reilly denied a goal when Courtois saved remarkably with his feet; but overall, it was a depressing night which ended with Haaland subbed having barely touched the ball.
Guardiola’s side, who have dragged themselves back into the Premier League title race and face West Ham this weekend with hopes of closing the gap again, have a major battle to do the same in Europe following their biggest defeat of the season.
They walked in Real’s shadow in Madrid and it’s a long way back in the second leg.
Courtois 7; Alexander-Arnold 7 (Carvajal 83; 6), Rudiger 7, Huijsen 8, F. Mendy 7 (Garcia 46; 7); Valverde 9, Guler 8 (Camavinga 70; 6), Tchouameni 7, Pitarch 8 (Angel 76; 6); Diaz 8 (Mastantuono 76; 6), Vinicius 8.
Donnarumma 6; Khusanov 5, Dias 7, Guéhi 6, O’Reilly 5; Rodri 6, Silva 5 (Ait-Nouri 69; 6); Savinho 5 (Reinders 46; 6), Semenyo 7 (Cherki 69; 6), Doku 7; Haaland 5 (Marmoush 82; 6).
 Maurizio Mariani.
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