Palace can cause Man City issues DESPITE Pep's 2-1 win at Real Madrid

By Alessandro Schiavone at Santiago Bernabeu

Champions League Matchday 6

Real Madrid 1-2 Man City

Goals: Rodrygo 28' (RM), O'Reilly 35' (MC), Haaland 43' penalty (MC)

MADRID- Manchester City impressively played themselves into bigger confidence ahead of their tricky trip at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Dreaming of beating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu is one thing, going on and doing it is yet another.

And Pep Guardiola’s men ended a four-game winless run in the Spanish capital stretching back to 2020 courtesy of goals by Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland who wiped away Rodrygo’s opener.

Yet the 2023 Champions League winners’ sluggish and sloppy start to the game must have given Palace’s fleet-footed attacking players hope that they can get something out of the upcoming duel.

Real Madrid exploited the Etihad giants’ high line in a chaotic start to the game for Josko Gvardiol and his defensive partners.

And before Rodrygo drove a low effort into the far corner on 28 minutes, he could have registered an assist if only Vinicius Jr’s chip over Donnarumma had been softer.

Equally, ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger saw his flicked header fizzle wide.

There were rumours manager X.Alonso would be toast if they lost. Yet the 2010 World Cup winner appeared to still have the backing of the dressing room in the early stages

And it was only a matter of time before Arsenal target Rodrygo, whose ambition finally matched his talent, put his side up.

Up until that point, City’s attack carried the threat of a plastic spoon.

Astonishingly, Guardiola’s men went on to pounce on a rare mistake by Thibaut Courtois, who despite his side's defeat and a howler came out on top in the 'game within the game' against fellow world beater Donnarumma, to pull level seven minutes later.

Gvardiol’s header from a corner was parried into the path of right-back O’Reilly who put his chance away.

There are many variables that can decide a game between two of the most dominant European sides of the past decade. And here tonight two episodes swung the pendulum in City's favour.

Under-fire Xabi Alonso’s confidence-shot men gave away a penalty through Rudiger who wrestled Haaland in the box.

The juggernaut expertly tucked it the other side of Courtois to give City the lead. And the win.

In the absence of crocked Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo rose up to Real Madrid’s main man as City struggled with his bursts of acceleration and inventiveness.

But Vinicius once again failed to turn his compatriot's cross into an assist when he headed wide. The sulky Brazilian also failed to convert an acrobatic effort after Donnarumma failed to deal with a floating corner.

Whether the win was down to City’s strength, Real Madrid’s current turmoil or if things finally conspired in their favour at the Bernabeu is anyone’s guess.

Yet fourth-placed Palace have the pace, the aggressiveness and the counter-attacking expertise to capitalise on City’s defensive frailties and reduce the gap to two points and lay down a marker for any potential Champions League hopes.

After all, Pep's side are currently vulnerable at the back as their 11 shipped goals in the last five games reflect.

Yet Mateta has to do a lot better than Vini Jr while Yeremy Pino would have to turn into the Spanish Rodrygo for 90 minutes if the soaring Eagles are to bank on the Mancunians' current defensive amnesia and get the three points.