Twitter Reacts to Manchester City and Real Madrid's Goalless Draw
Manchester City and Real Madrid will enter their UEFA Champions League second leg just as they started the first after an uneventful 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
The evening's biggest news came prior to kick-off, when it was confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo would miss the match after failing a late fitness test:
"Confirmed that Ronaldo has failed a fitness test and will not feature for Real Madrid tonight. Big break for Manchester City!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 26, 2016"
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"Ronaldo not in Real Madrid squad pic.twitter.com/eYKWHRzan6
— Paul Hirst (@hirstclass) April 26, 2016"
"No Ronaldo... oof
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) April 26, 2016"
"When Manchester City fans read the @marca report that Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t fit to start at the Etihad. pic.twitter.com/cUNibLl1KJ
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 26, 2016"
"Ronaldo out. What a boost for City.
— Alan Tonge (@Alan_Tonge) April 26, 2016"
* looks at TV pages to see what else is on.
"The man filling the void left by Ronaldo's absence, Lucas Vázquez, has 163 minutes of #UCL experience to his name. #Bigshoestofill
— Tom Kell (@UEFAcomTomK) April 26, 2016"
"7 - Last time, @realmadrid started a CL match without @Cristiano, they lost 0-2 in Dortmund (2013/14). Loss.
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) April 26, 2016"
For the home side, it was a first-ever Champions League semi-final...and the fans were "ready":
"Hugely intimidating sound of plastic flags waggling inside the Etihad. Welcome to ... some rustling
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) April 26, 2016"
"if you're trying to buy a roll of kitchen foil in Manchester this evening - forget it. MCFC have bought the lot & wrapped half the stadium
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) April 26, 2016"
"Foil flags agogo ahead of kick-off at the Etihad. This is like a jacket potato's worst nightmare. pic.twitter.com/cFImvStiN0
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) April 26, 2016"
The game's first talking point was when Pepe picked up an early booking for a lunging tackle on Kevin De Bruyne:
"That's a Pepe tackle alright.
— Janusz Michallik (@JanuszMichallik) April 26, 2016"
"[Ctrl c] + [Ctrl v]
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 26, 2016"
Pepe picks up a yellow card.
"Pepe so late into that tackle, I'm typing this and he still hasn't finished it.
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) April 26, 2016"
"If Pepe was a goat #MCIRMA pic.twitter.com/Qf4BTQEtlj
— 888sport (@888sport) April 26, 2016"
City suffered a setback when key playmaker David Silva picked up an injury and had to be replaced by youngster Kelechi Iheanacho:
"Blow for City - Silva injured and Kelechi Iheanacho is getting ready to come on.
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) April 26, 2016"
"40 min: Silva injured and Pellegrini sends on 19-year-old Iheanacho rather than Sterling. On recent form, you can't argue with that.
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) April 26, 2016"
""What does that say about Sterling?" - Robbie Savage.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) April 26, 2016"
That he's played 22 minutes since being out for six weeks with a muscle injury.
"Iheanacho's 3rd appearance in the CL - the previous two have been one-minute cameos off the bench.
— Paul Hirst (@hirstclass) April 26, 2016"
Half-time arrived without much incident:
"4 - This is just the 4th Champions League game this season without a first-half shot on target. Muted
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2016"
"Chess match
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) April 26, 2016"
Intriguing tactical battle
Cagey
Feeling each other out
Fascinatingly poised
Nope; crap.
"Remarkable a match with this many excellent attackers - and usually ropey defences - can be this drab.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) April 26, 2016"
"Sergio Aguero hasn’t had a shot on target in the Champions League for 387 minutes. pic.twitter.com/4Lylc7kc6X
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 26, 2016"
"Looking for Real Madrid's front three like #MCIRMA pic.twitter.com/DETKTp0ZGA
— 888sport (@888sport) April 26, 2016"
"How the neutral viewed that first half.. pic.twitter.com/hM63Cn5GDK
— Copa90 (@Copa90) April 26, 2016"
Manager Zinedine Zidane provided the first entertainment of the second half when he managed to savagely rip his suit trousers:
"Zidane has split his trousers... Again!😂 pic.twitter.com/Cd5cpLLqz0
— SportsDictator (@SportDictatorHQ) April 26, 2016"
"Zidane getting ready to do the #nopantsdance again pic.twitter.com/PWA7DFuRcc
— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) April 26, 2016"
"This is Zinedine Zidane right now... https://t.co/HNIKUjRZEk pic.twitter.com/iCBBokopuS
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) April 26, 2016"
"Zidane seriously needs to get a bigger pair of pants! #ripper
— Lynsey Hipgrave (@lynseyhipgrave1) April 26, 2016"
"According to Owen Hargreaves, splitting one's trousers is the byproduct of passion. Where was he going with that one? #cityvreal
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewinESPN) April 26, 2016"
"Zidane's tailor is as poor at finishing his job as Giroud. Get a new one, Zizou.
— Copa90 (@Copa90) April 26, 2016"
Other than that, there was little to amuse the audience:
"Fans watching Manchester City vs. Real Madrid like… pic.twitter.com/HWYnLb2SVq
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 26, 2016"
"This is an advert for why there shouldn't be a European Super League #ManCityvsRealMadrid
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) April 26, 2016"
"Reckon even United offer more entertainment than this
— United Rant (@unitedrant) April 26, 2016"
"This game is boring 😳😳😳
— EMMANUEL FRIMPONG (@IAMFRIMPONG26) April 26, 2016"
"Trying to live tweet this game #MCIRMA pic.twitter.com/xleYkdOsiZ
— 888sport (@888sport) April 26, 2016"
"Anyone fancy a game of snakes and ladders?
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) April 26, 2016"
"Anyone know what time Manchester City and Real Madrid start playing?
— Ryan Bailey (@RyanJayBailey) April 26, 2016"
Pepe had a late chance to put Real ahead, but Joe Hart thwarted him superbly:
"Joe Hart. ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/yFIRESeYay
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 26, 2016"
"Another Champions League game, another stupendous save by Joe Hart - starfish block thwarts Pepe from point-blank range.
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) April 26, 2016"
"Great save Joe Hart 🙌#MCFCvsRM
— Shay Given (@No1shaygiven) April 26, 2016"
"What a save. Hart has had a fine CL campaign.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) April 26, 2016"
"Joe Hart has now made more saves (27) than any other goalkeeper left in the Champions League.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 26, 2016"
Great campaign. pic.twitter.com/uqSyTPOyqW
The game finished goalless, a result that leaves the tie fascinatingly poised ahead of the second leg in Madrid on May 4:
"City were set up not to lose tonight. Never really threatened Madrid but thanks to that save from Hart, they're still right in the tie.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) April 26, 2016"
"Missed opportunity for City. No Ronaldo for 90 minutes and no Benzema for 45. City poor in the second-half. Leicester coming for them all.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) April 26, 2016"
"Come on back, Cristiano Ronaldo—Real Madrid need you. 💪https://t.co/5ojNVwg2pz
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 26, 2016"
[Twitter]
