THE NOTEBOOK: Police presence in Madrid boosted amid ISIS terror threat, Iker Casillas makes bold prediction at Man City… MORE, Real Madrid’s unconventional attempt to boost Bernabeu atmosphere
- Real Madrid faced Man City in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
- A breathtaking encounter followed at the Bernabeu, with a score of 3-3.
- Could Erik ten Hag end up at Ajax? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Real Madrid and Manchester City played out a 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday evening.
Bernardo Silva’s cheeky free-kick inside two minutes gave the reigning champions the lead, but Real immediately hit back with Eduardo Camavinga’s shot deflected by Ruben Dias.
Almost instantly, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were 2-1 up through Rodrygo, before Phil Foden’s second-half stunner brought City level.
Josko Gvardiol scored arguably an even better goal to put City back in front, but Federico Valverde leveled things up again with a neat volley to ensure these teams could not be separated ahead of the second leg in Manchester next week.
Courrier Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN was at the Bernabeu and looks back at some things you may have missed from Tuesday’s match.
Reinforced police presence in the face of the terrorist threat
Local police called in thousands of extra officers around the Bernabeu on Tuesday evening after a pro-Islamic State media channel published threats of violence at Champions League matches.
The terrorist alert level in Spain was classified as high risk – four out of five – and more than 2,000 police and civil guards were deployed.
UEFA had discussed terrorist threats with Real Madrid and Manchester City as part of the usual briefing before European matches. Controls such as lifting manhole covers were deemed necessary in the hours before kick-off.
“These announcements are usually propaganda actions aimed at provoking fear,” said Madrid’s interim mayor, Inmaculada Sanz.
“Both the security forces and the intelligence services are studying any possible threat, but nothing suggests a situation of particular risk.”
Islamic State has threatened to attack its supporters in London, Paris and Madrid in the coming days
As a result, police called in thousands of additional officers around the Bernabeu
Real Madrid legend praises Man City
Serious congratulations for Pep Guardiola’s side from an unlikely source, with Iker Casillas believing these two teams are the new rivalry in European football.
Casillas – who won three Champions League titles – said: “City have replaced Bayern Munich in the European rivalry that existed with Real. They are the two best teams in the world in my opinion.
Real Madrid icon Iker Casillas has praised Man City and said both teams are the best in Europe.
A real attempt to revitalize the atmosphere
UEFA effectively granted Real’s request to close the retractable roof on the eve of this first leg, confirming the decision on the morning of the match.
It’s something Real did before, in the last round against Leipzig, and which was designed to create a more intense atmosphere inside a stadium that usually doesn’t need excitement.
They will have been further strengthened by the announcement that Kevin De Bruyne has only been named on the visitors’ bench. It turned out that it was not a tactical decision on Guardiola’s part, but that De Bruyne, who was supposed to start, fell ill. So sick he didn’t even warm up beforehand.
UEFA acceded to Real’s request to close the roof of the Bernabeu in an attempt to restore atmosphere
City limits Haaland’s marketing responsibilities
Erling Haaland’s fame at City is such that the club had to limit the number of autographs he signed, Spanish newspaper Relevo revealed on Tuesday.
The Norwegian reportedly spent half an hour every day signing photos and recording video messages for anyone who asked. That devastated Haaland but, given the 23-year-old’s personality, he didn’t mention that workload was proving an issue.
City – who are all too aware of Haaland’s marketing power – have noticed the problem and are now filtering external inquiries and he is apparently holding a signing session once a month.
Reports in Spain say Man City have had to limit the number of autographs signed by Erling Haaland
Unexpected celebrities spotted outdoors
Former Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer was one of many unusual places on this trip to Madrid.
Some unusual spots during this trip to Madrid. Former Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer was away – not his first European away jaunt this season – while the father of a Spice Girl also found himself in the Spanish capital.
Far from a Wannabe, Mel C’s father Alan Chisholm works in the travel industry and has been helping City organize the details of their preparation for the quarter-finals.
