Manchester Metropolis suffered a surprising 2-3 defeat on the Etihad Stadium to Actual Madrid, a consequence that left them with an uphill battle heading into the second leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League playoffs. Coach Pep Guardiola will look to show issues round, however a persistent “curse” may jeopardize the membership’s hopes of a comeback.
In what was one of the thrilling encounters of this Champions League season, Metropolis took the lead twice, solely to falter and quit the benefit. Regardless of the slim margin, Metropolis’s early lead may very well be seen as a “curse” that has haunted the workforce in latest seasons.
Within the final 4 matchups between Manchester Metropolis and Actual Madrid, the workforce that scored first has been eradicated. With Erling Haaland scoring the opening objective of this tie, this ongoing pattern casts a shadow over Metropolis’s aspirations for a comeback.
In 13 Champions League encounters (together with as we speak’s sport) between the 2 golf equipment, the document is surprisingly even. Each groups have received 4 instances, with 5 attracts. Nonetheless, historical past means that Metropolis’s early lead could also be their undoing, because the workforce that opens the scoring has been eradicated in every of the final 4 collection.
The ‘curse’ in motion: Earlier encounters
This “curse” has been evident because the 2019-20 season and has continued in each subsequent matchup between Metropolis and Madrid:
2019-20 Spherical of 16: Actual Madrid took the lead within the first leg with a Sixtieth-minute objective however Metropolis responded rapidly, profitable 2-1 on the Santiago Bernabeu. Metropolis sealed the tie with a 2-1 victory at house, advancing with a 4-2 combination rating.2021-22 Semifinals: Kevin De Bruyne put Metropolis forward within the second minute of the primary leg, which ended 4-3 of their favor. Nonetheless, Actual Madrid mounted a comeback on the Bernabeu, profitable 3-1 to advance 6-5 on combination. Madrid would go on to win the Champions League that season, defeating Liverpool within the remaining.2022-23 Semifinals: Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Madrid within the thirty sixth minute of the primary leg, which ended 1-1. Within the second leg, Metropolis delivered a dominant 4-0 efficiency, advancing 5-1 on combination and finally profitable the ultimate towards Inter Milan.2023-24 Quarterfinals: In a tightly contested first leg, Bernardo Silva scored early within the 2nd minute, however the sport ended 3-3. The second leg on the Etihad completed 1-1, and Actual Madrid superior through penalties.
The 2024-25 “curse” continues?
With Haaland’s opening objective within the 2024-25 version, the pattern of the workforce that scores first being eradicated looms giant. Metropolis misplaced 2-3 at house, and their Champions League future now hangs within the stability. The second leg will happen on Wednesday, nineteenth, and Guardiola will probably be keen to interrupt the “curse” and push his workforce towards the semifinals.
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