Man City player ratings vs Real Madrid: No Erling Haaland, no hope! Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol lead defensive disaster-class as Pep Guardiola’s abject champions are blown away at the Bernabeu

In one of the most significant Champions League encounters of the 2024/25 season, Manchester City’s hopes of furthering their ambitions in Europe were unceremoniously dashed by Real Madrid. A resounding 3-1 loss in the second leg of their knockout tie, following a 6-3 aggregate defeat, left the reigning Premier League champions utterly deflated and eliminated from the competition. What was supposed to be a thrilling contest instead turned into a heavy defeat, revealing not just the absence of key figures but the glaring holes in City’s overall play, particularly in defense and attack.

The absence of their star striker, Erling Haaland, weighed heavily on the squad. The Norwegian’s injury, sustained earlier in the competition, had been a constant topic of concern for manager Pep Guardiola. It became increasingly clear during this encounter that Haaland’s presence in the City lineup was irreplaceable, and without him, City were left searching for any sort of attacking potency. Their attack lacked direction, purpose, and creativity, and they were unable to mount any serious threats to a Real Madrid team that was firing on all cylinders.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, the French forward who had been in scintillating form all season, was at the heart of everything for Real Madrid. His performance was nothing short of a masterclass in finishing, speed, and skill. He tormented Manchester City’s defense from the opening minute until the final whistle, scoring a brilliant hat-trick that ended any lingering hopes City might have had of mounting a comeback. For City, it was a humbling evening, as they were utterly outclassed in almost every department of the game.

The match began with the usual high tempo expected from two of the top European teams, but it didn’t take long for Real Madrid to assert their dominance. The first goal came early, in the 13th minute, when Raul Asencio threaded a pass through City’s defense to Mbappe, who managed to easily get past Ruben Dias. Dias, usually a reliable figure at the back for City, was caught flat-footed, failing to cut off the pass, and Mbappe’s pace left him no chance to recover. Mbappe’s finish was clinical, placing the ball past Ederson to put Real Madrid 1-0 up on the night, and 4-2 up on aggregate.

The early goal put City on the back foot. Despite having possession of the ball, they seemed devoid of ideas when in possession, often forced to pass sideways and backwards as they struggled to break down Real Madrid’s well-organized defense. Their offensive play lacked the cutting edge that Haaland often provides, and their attack was especially impotent as the match wore on.

As the game progressed, things went from bad to worse for City. John Stones, a key figure in City’s defense, was unable to handle the speed and physicality of Mbappe and was forced off the pitch in the 20th minute due to injury. His departure left a massive gap in City’s defensive line, and they never really recovered. Stones’ injury compounded an already difficult night for the visitors, and they were forced to shuffle their defensive setup, making things even more difficult as Real Madrid continued to assert their dominance.

The second goal for Real Madrid came in the 38th minute, and once again, it was Mbappe who was the architect. This time, Abdukodir Khusanov was the unfortunate player caught out. The young defender, who was making his Champions League debut, was left in a one-on-one situation with Mbappe and was simply overwhelmed by the Frenchman’s pace and skill. Mbappe cut inside and rifled the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Ederson no chance. It was a moment that summed up City’s defensive frailty on the night. Khusanov, who had struggled to cope with the attacking threat of both Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe throughout the first half, was left reeling from the second goal, and City were in a deep hole, trailing 2-0 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate.

The first half ended with City’s hopes hanging by a thread. They had shown little in terms of attacking quality, and their defense had been systematically dismantled by Real Madrid’s offensive firepower. Guardiola’s side had been completely outplayed, and it was clear that they would need a miraculous comeback in the second half if they were to stand any chance of advancing.

The second half began with City looking to take more risks, but any hope of a comeback was swiftly extinguished by Mbappe’s third goal in the 53rd minute. This time, it was Josko Gvardiol who was left embarrassed by Mbappe’s brilliance. The Croatian center-back, who had performed admirably throughout much of the season, was turned inside out by Mbappe, who powered his way past him and finished with ease. The goal not only sealed the game but also sealed City’s fate in the competition. They were now trailing 3-0 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate, with little to show for their efforts.

City’s attack, already lacking in creativity and spark, now seemed completely lifeless. Phil Foden, often a key player for City, was unable to get involved in the game as much as he would have liked. His usual runs were ineffective, and he looked far less dangerous without the presence of Haaland to occupy defenders and create space for him. Savinho, starting in place of the injured Haaland, was barely involved in the match, and his impact was minimal. Meanwhile, Omar Marmoush, another player who had been brought in to add attacking flair, also struggled to lead the line effectively. Marmoush showed flashes of promise but failed to make any meaningful contribution in terms of scoring or creating chances.

Guardiola made several substitutions in an attempt to change the game, bringing on Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic, and James McAtee. However, none of these changes made a significant impact, and City continued to be overrun by Real Madrid. Ake, normally solid defensively, could do little to stop the rampant Mbappe. Kovacic was unable to add the necessary control in midfield, and McAtee, though energetic, didn’t have the quality to make a difference in such a crucial match.

In the dying moments of the game, City finally managed to find the back of the net, albeit in a completely meaningless situation. In the 90th minute, Omar Marmoush’s free-kick rattled the crossbar, and the ball fell kindly to Nico Gonzalez, who was quick to pounce on the rebound and score a consolation goal. The goal, though, did little to lift the mood for City. It was too little, too late, and the match ended with a 3-1 loss, ensuring their exit from the competition.

For Guardiola and his players, it was a night of reflection and disappointment. Guardiola had seen his team crumble under pressure, and he couldn’t hide his frustration with their performance. The injuries to key players, notably Haaland and Stones, certainly didn’t help, but it was clear that City had been outplayed by a superior Real Madrid team. Their defense had been porous, their attack toothless, and their overall performance lacked the usual intensity and creativity that had made them one of the top teams in Europe.

Ederson, the goalkeeper, was perhaps one of the few City players who could hold his head high after the match. Despite conceding three goals, Ederson made some crucial saves, including a brave stop against Mbappe and a fine save against Vinicius. His performance helped to prevent the scoreline from being even worse.

In defense, Abdukodir Khusanov had a nightmare of a debut. The young defender struggled against Real Madrid’s pace and precision, and he was left helpless in one-on-one situations with both Mbappe and Vinicius. Ruben Dias also had a poor game, failing to stop the opening goal and struggling to contain Real Madrid’s attackers. John Stones, though forced off early due to injury, could do little to influence the outcome of the match. Josko Gvardiol, despite making some early interceptions, was humiliated by Mbappe for the second goal and couldn’t recover from the Frenchman’s brilliance.

In midfield, Nico Gonzalez failed to impose himself on the game. He was too slow to track back for the second goal and couldn’t take control of the ball when City needed him most. Ilkay Gundogan had an equally forgettable performance, with a misplaced pass and a clumsy foul that led to a booking. Bernardo Silva, often a key player for City, also struggled, as his defensive contributions were too slow, and his attacking ideas were uninspired.

In attack, Savinho’s involvement was minimal, and he was unable to create anything of note. Omar Marmoush was hit hard by Haaland’s absence and looked lost leading the line. He did manage to create a bit of danger with his free-kick that hit the crossbar, but it was a rare moment of brilliance in an otherwise disappointing performance. Phil Foden, despite creating a few flashes of danger, didn’t work hard enough, especially when he failed to close down Mbappe as he scored his third goal.

The substitutes, including Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic, and James McAtee, also struggled to make an impact. While Ake was defensively solid, he could do little to stop the momentum of Real Madrid. Kovacic tried to get on the ball and limit the damage but couldn’t create any real opportunities for City. McAtee brought some energy but ultimately couldn’t change the course of the match.

Guardiola’s tactics were questioned after the game. Although he had to deal with several injuries, his team’s lack of fight and resilience was hard to explain. The performance was meek, and City’s inability to match the intensity and quality of Real Madrid was a stark contrast to their previous performances in the competition. Guardiola will have to reflect on what went wrong and how his team can recover in future seasons

In the end, Manchester City’s Champions League journey came to an abrupt and painful end at the Santiago Bernabeu. They were outclassed by a Real Madrid team that showed just why they are the kings of European football. City’s defense was porous, their attack lacked direction, and their overall performance was far from the high standards that Guardiola has set for his team. While Haaland’s absence undoubtedly played a major role in their struggles, it was the collective failure of the team that led to their elimination. Guardiola and his players will have to regroup and find a way to bounce back after this humiliating defeat.

As for Real Madrid, it was another night to remember for the Spanish giants. Mbappe’s hat-trick was the stuff of legend, and they showed once again that they are one of the most formidable teams in European football. With City now out of the competition, Real Madrid’s path to another Champions League trophy looks wide open, and they will be a force to be reckoned with in the remaining stages of the competition.

For Manchester City, it’s back to the drawing board. Another season, another early exit from the Champions League. The dream of winning Europe’s most prestigious club competition remains elusive for Guardiola and his men. But as history has shown, City will be back next season, and they will be determined to finally lift the trophy that has so far eluded them.