SPANISH GIANTS ARE AWARE OF REAL TEST

MADRID PLAYERS RUE LETTING LEAD SLIP IN QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG

- JOE BRAY

REAL Madrid players felt like they had lost Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against City, after conceding a 2-1 lead to draw 3-3 in a thriller at the Bernabeu.

Real fell behind in the second minute as a lazy set up at a City freekick allowed Bernardo Silva to catch goalkeeper Andriy Lunin unawares from 40 yards. Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo turned the tie on its head shortly after to put Real in control, but two quick goals for City just after the hour mark gave the visitors the advantage instead.

Fede Valverde's brilliant volley levelled the tie going into the second leg, but the Uruguayan admitted after the game that the result felt like a defeat - because he knows 'what happened last year! After a 1-1 draw in last season's semi-final first leg at the Bernabeu, Real were blown away at the Etihad as City tore them apart in a 4-0 masterclass in the second leg.

Valverde was among the players commenting on how the Etihad atmosphere was the most hostile he has ever played in, and manager Carlo Ancelotti has criticised his players' attitude in that game ahead of this year's quarter-final meeting.