Momentous win cannot mask Guardiola’s need for more control

City’s youthful side showed plenty of promise in Madrid but they are also a work in progress prone to losing grip

- David Hytner

“Some things were happening,” Josko Gvardiol said, with glorious understatement, as he reflected on the chaos of Manchester City’s start at Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The defender had been guilty of a lapse at the very outset, caught in possession, Madrid suddenly in and running. Then, there was the penalty that was not.

It was a reckless swipe in the third minute by Matheus Nunes on Vinicius Junior, the referee, Clément Turpin, pointing to the spot only for the VAR to step in and rule that the offence was fractionally outside the area. City’s heads spun and a tone was set. The opening half-hour was an uncomfortable experience for them and, by the time that spell had ended, Madrid were 1-0 up through Rodrygo and looking good for a much-needed victory.

That City would turn it around to lead 2-1 by halftime was of a piece with the topsy-turviness, the whiff of fragility about both teams, although Gvardiol was entitled to talk up the fighting spirit that he and his teammates showed. The goals came from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland - the first after a corner, the second from a penalty - and they were sufficient for a momentous win.

Momentous had to be the word because it was only the second time City had won at the Bernabéu, the first having been the 2-1 success in the Champions League last-16 first leg in 2019-20. That went down as one of the finest nights the club’s fans had experienced, one celebrated long and loudly.