Pep Guardiola has bemoaned his Manchester City players’ decision-making during their run of defeats this year, and in the stunning late 3-2 loss to Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night it was goalkeeper Ederson in the firing line.
The Brazilian, who could have left City last summer, had kept his team ahead with a string of saves in the Champions League play-off before a stray pass into midfield turned the tie on its head, with Brahim Diaz equalising to switch the momentum of an absorbing first leg.
“Eddy decided to play a long ball, it was not a good kick and they scored,” said Guardiola. “Maybe we played short and they scored and you say ‘why not play long?’ Players take a decision in the moment – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but it’s not just today, it has happened many times.”
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It was a poor final 10 minutes of the game for Ederson, despite excellent saves to deny Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, and this game will be remembered for the late flurry from Real Madrid.
City’s heads were scrambled and Ederson was caught out of position when Vinicius Junior raced through to set up Bellingham’s winner.
“He’s made some really good saves, Ederson, but he’s cost his team there for the equaliser,” said Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s greatest goalscorer, working as a pundit on Amazon.
“It’s a really poor kick, giving possession back to Real Madrid, he just gets it all wrong and all of a sudden he puts his defenders under pressure. He stands up there and gets a save, but the rebound falls to Brahim Diaz and he’s not making a mistake from that.
“Goodness me, Pep must be raging. He worked so hard to get into a really promising position and give it away with a basic error.”
Ederson’s position at City was uncertain last summer, when he had interest from Saudi Arabia. He has one full season left on his contract and Stefan Ortega has been preferred in goal for some games this campaign.
“We are lucky to have him and I hope he is happy,” said Guardiola when it was confirmed Ederson would stay at City, rather than move to the Middle East. “Eddy knows us really well and what we have to do. He knew from day one that I didn’t want him to leave.”
His long-term future is likely to be a topic of conversation again in the summer, while the short-term decision is whether he starts at the Bernabéu next week for the second leg.
Player ratings
Manchester City (4-1-4-1)
Ederson
Had to be precise with his feet as City played out from the back. Denied Mbappé and Bellingham, but poor kick out for second equaliser and was caught out of position for Bellingham’s late winner. 5/10
Manuel Akanji
Huge blocks when Rodrygo cut inside from a corner and also from Vinicius – defensive work that warranted appreciation from team-mates. Taken off at half-time injured. 7/10
Ruben Dias
Great duel with Mbappé and could outmuscle him when the Frenchman tried to run in behind. He was a presence in the City back line but buckled late on. 5/10
Nathan Ake
Stunning clearance to deny Mendy when Ederson was out of his goal. He did slip to allow Rodrygo through for an attack and not close enough to Mbappé for the first equaliser. 5/10
Josko Gvardiol
Broke forward for Haaland’s first goal and provided excellent assist. He was everywhere on the pitch despite starting attacks at left-back but lost ball in tricky second half. 6/10
John Stones
He was willing to take the ball from his goalkeeper and turn into midfield. Fans sang his name for a dominant performance as surprise defensive-midfielder choice, then dropped into back line for final half hour, but came under too much pressure. 6/10
Savinho
Disciplined performance, the Brazilian worked hard, tracking back. Not much joy going forward. 6/10
Bernardo Silva
Plenty of energy and he helped keep possession and City’s rhythm when they got on the ball. His experience was important when it was going well. 6/10
Kevin De Bruyne
Managed to get behind Real’s defence on the inside-right position. Helped gain control of the midfield area and set-pieces were big threat. 7/10
Jack Grealish
Lasted half an hour before injury struck but made huge impact with floated ball over Real defence for Haaland’s opener. Started consecutive City matches for the first time since September. 7/10
Erling Haaland
Not a player for big matches? That was thrown out of the window with his finish after 19 minutes, a cool volley as Real closed in. Hit bar in second half and scored penalty. 9/10
Substitutes
Phil Foden (Grealish 30), Rico Lewis (Akanji h-t), Mateo Kovacic (Ake 62), Ilkay Gundogan (De Bruyne 83), Omar Marmoush (Savinho (83). Not used Stefan Ortega (g), Jeremy Doku, Nico Gonzalez, Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O’Reilly, James McAtee.
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Thibaut Courtois
Good save from Foden in the first half and had no chance with Haaland’s goals. Otherwise tidy with the gloves. 6/10
Federico Valverde
His qualities are lost at right-back but he put a shift in, while also going forward and joining attacks, shooting over with his best effort. 7/10
Aurelien Tchouameni
Headed interceptions from the France midfielder who has been asked to play centre-back during an injury crisis. He did a job without totally controlling City attackers. 6/10
Raul Asencio
Lost flight of the ball for Haaland’s first goal. Big, important, tackles on De Bruyne and Haaland was the response from the youngster. 6/10
Ferland Mendy
Saw his effort in front of goal blocked when Real tried to walk it in. Was caught in possession a couple of times as City swarmed him. 6/10
Dani Ceballos
Lovely assist for equaliser after being quiet earlier in the game. Also fired a shot over the crossbar in the first half. Conceded penalty. 5/10
Eduardo Camavinga
Quiet start but came into game with cross-field pass to Vinicius and a run towards goal. Would have liked to have dominated his area more. 7/10
Jude Bellingham
Carried ball from deep early on then got rewards for his work with the late winner. Plenty of energy, headed good chance wide and had another chance saved by Ederson. 8/10
Rodrygo
Failed to take advantage of Ake’s slip in dangerous area. Superb skill for Mbappé chance that he passed up. In and out of the game. 5/10
Kylian Mbappé
Bizarre shinned finish for the equaliser and was in good positions before that, with only bad finishing preventing him from scoring more. 7/10
Vinicius Junior
Booed throughout but huge threat in first half. Hit bar with curling shot, set up others and only the offside flag denied him a penalty. Faded after break. 8/10
Substitutes
Luka Modric (Ceballos 81), Brahim Diaz (Rodrygo 84), Fran Garcia (Mbappé 90). Not used Lunin (g), Mestre (g), Guler, Endrick, Vallejo, Gonzalo, Ramon, Chema Andres, Aguado
Referee Clement Turpin (France).
