They only just finished in the top four and registered their lowest Premier League points tally of the last 13 years. Pellegrini's last season in charge of City had been underwhelming. The last time had been against Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City in the 2015-16 semi-finals. The 1-1 draw against Chelsea in 2021 had been Madrid's first draw in a Champions League first leg in five years.

Timo Werner and Mason Mount scored the goals, but it was all about N'Golo Kante singlehandedly winning the midfield battle – the Frenchman was deservedly named man of the match in both legs before picking up the same accolade in the final. The following week at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea produced one of their all-time great performances to beat Los Blancos 2-0. They battled hard in the Spanish capital, remaining alive in the tie after Karim Benzema cancelled out Christian Pulisic's early opener. Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea (2021)Ī good omen for Manchester City is that the last time Madrid drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu in a Champions League semi-final, they then went to England and lost the second leg.Ĭity know all too well it was Thomas Tuchel's Blues that emerged victorious in Europe that season. But does his logic apply here? We've taken a look at the last five times they've drawn the first leg of a Champions League knockout – and what happened next. “Next week will be like a final, and we are quite good at winning finals,” Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said after the match.Ĭourtois has a point – Madrid have played in eight Champions League finals in the modern era and won each and every one of them.

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