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"
"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"
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