Jack Grealish described Tuesday night’s Champions League draw with Real Madrid as a night ‘we dream of playing in’ on social media.
Grealish started on the left for City at the Santiago Bernabeu and won the free kick that Bernardo Silva tucked away for the opener. City were quickly onto the front foot and were given their early chance to take the lead when Aurelien Tchouameni crudely halted the England winger to earn a booking that will keep him out of the second leg.
With Real failing to form a wall, Silva cheekily took full advantage and caught goalkeeper Andriy Lunin off-guard as he thumped a left-foot shot into the bottom corner after just two minutes. Stunning strikes by Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol were cancelled out by a Ruben Dias own goal, a deflected flick from Rodrygo and a sublime volley from Federico Valverde.
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The result means the tie is hanging firmly in the balance ahead of the second leg as City aim to retain the Champions League crown they won last season, beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final in Istanbul thanks to a goal from midfielder Rodri. On Tuesday night Grealish had several chances to score against Madrid, seeing an effort blocked after Erling Haaland's shot was saved before cutting inside and missing the target in the second half.
Despite a mixed evening, Grealish admitted it had been a 'dream' to play in the encounter. After the back-and-forth encounter at the Bernabeu, the 28-year-old winger posted on Instagram: "The nights we dream of playing in!! Good result to take back to the Etihad next week. cammm on Citehhhhh."
The second leg will be played on Wednesday April 17 at The Etihad Stadium, with an 8pm kick-off.
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