In Real's win, a lesson for City

Spanish giants paper over defensive shortcomings with attacking prowess

- Dhiman Sarkar

KOLKATA: Repair, recover, reboot. Manchester City have been trying that since their spectacular slide began in October. For 86 minutes through a pulsating encounter on a cold night at home, it looked like City had managed to do that. And then they froze, their Champions League play-off first leg moving from delight to disappointment and finally despair.

Real are far from the team that bested Europe last term. Lille, Liverpool, Athletic Bilbao, AC Milan, Barcelona and Espanyol have beaten them in 2024-25. In two Clasicos, Real have leaked nine goals. And yet, they are having a season that is the equivalent of Oceans 11, 12 and 13 combined. They are leading in La Liga, have made the Copa del Rey semi-final and, following the comeback 3-2 win against City, now have a foot in the Champions League Round of 16.