Man City player ratings vs Real Madrid: No Erling Haaland, no hope! Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol lead defensive disaster-class as Pep Guardiola’s abject champions are blown away at the Bernabeu**
Published 1 day ago on February 20, 2025
By ENOCH
Manchester City’s Champions League hopes were destroyed in a ruthless 3-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu (6-3 on aggregate). The absence of Erling Haaland proved too much for Pep Guardiola’s side, who were ineffective in attack and chaotic in defense. Kylian Mbappé stole the spotlight with an incredible hat-trick, sending Real Madrid into the last 16 while leaving City to pick up the pieces from a disastrous European campaign.
**A Nightmare in Madrid**
From the very first whistle, Real Madrid made their intentions clear. They quickly took control of the tempo, with Luka Modrić and Jude Bellingham dominating the midfield. City struggled to gain a foothold, and within minutes, their defensive weaknesses were brutally exposed.
Mbappé scored his first goal just 12 minutes in, finishing coolly after a defensive blunder by City’s backline. Abdukodir Khusanov and Joško Gvardiol failed to track his run, allowing the Frenchman to slide the ball past Ederson with ease. The Bernabéu erupted as Madrid capitalized on City’s disarray.
**Defensive Horror Show**
It only got worse for Guardiola’s team. Madrid’s pressing and fast transitions left City’s defenders scrambling. Khusanov, in just his second European start, appeared out of his depth, while Gvardiol was often dragged out of position. It came as no surprise when Mbappé doubled Madrid’s lead before halftime, pouncing on yet another defensive lapse to score.
City did manage to regain some composure in the second half, but the damage was already done. Their midfield, typically a strength, was overwhelmed by Madrid’s energetic pressing and sharp passing. Rodri and Bernardo Silva were left chasing shadows, unable to make an impact.
**Player Ratings**
Ederson (Goalkeeper) – 6/10
Made some key saves but had little chance against Mbappé’s clinical finishing.
Kyle Walker (Right-Back) – 5/10
Struggled with Vinícius Jr.’s pace and offered little offensively.
Abdukodir Khusanov (Center-Back) – 4/10
A difficult outing for the young defender, who was often out of position and looked overwhelmed.
Joško Gvardiol (Center-Back) – 4/10
Failed to organize the defense and was repeatedly pulled out of position.
Nathan Aké (Left-Back) – 5/10
Worked hard but was frequently exposed, especially when facing Madrid’s wide players.
Rodri (Defensive Midfield) – 5.5/10
Usually reliable, but was easily bypassed and couldn’t shield the defense effectively.
Kevin De Bruyne (Midfield) – 6/10
Guardiola’s decision to bench him raised questions. His late appearance had little impact on the game.
Bernardo Silva (Midfield) – 6/10
Put in a lot of effort but lacked the creativity to break through Madrid’s defense.
Phil Foden (Right Wing) – 6/10
Had a few bright moments but was mostly kept quiet by Madrid’s defense.
Jack Grealish (Left Wing) – 5.5/10
Failed to make a significant impact and was substituted early in the second half.
Julián Álvarez (Striker) – 5/10
Leading the attack in Haaland’s absence, but was isolated and struggled to influence the match.
**Tactical Missteps and Managerial Decisions**
Guardiola’s decision to leave De Bruyne on the bench was surprising, especially with City needing creativity in Haaland’s absence. The partnership between Khusanov and Gvardiol proved disastrous, lacking chemistry and composure under pressure. Meanwhile, City’s midfield couldn’t assert itself, allowing Madrid to dominate.
City’s failure to control possession played directly into Madrid’s hands. The hosts exploited every defensive gap and punished every mistake. Guardiola’s substitutions, including bringing on De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, came too late to alter the course of the game.
**The Road Ahead for City**
This crushing defeat marks Manchester City’s earliest Champions League exit under Guardiola, raising serious questions about their squad depth and mental fortitude in crucial European fixtures. Without Haaland, they lacked a central attacking figure, and their defensive vulnerabilities were ruthlessly exposed by one of the top counter-attacking teams in world football.
For Real Madrid, this was another dominant performance in their quest for European glory. Mbappé’s precise finishing, Bellingham’s influence, and Madrid’s tactical mastery reaffirmed their position as the ultimate force in the Champions League.
City must now refocus on domestic competitions. With the Premier League title race still open and the FA Cup within reach, Guardiola’s side needs to find their form quickly. However, this painful defeat at the Bernabéu will serve as a harsh reminder that even the best teams can be torn apart on the biggest stage.
**Final Thoughts**
Real Madrid’s brilliance, City’s defensive collapse, and Mbappé’s outstanding performance—this match had it all. While Guardiola’s side will reflect on a painful defeat, Madrid advances, further cementing their reputation as the undisputed kings of the Champions League. City’s European dreams are crushed, and unless they address their defensive shortcomings, they may face similar heartbreak in the seasons ahead.