Manchester City eventually broke down Atletico Madrid’s belligerent defence and will take a narrow lead to Spain thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s winner.
The team’s talisman eventually found a way past Diego Simeone’s well organised outfit as Phil Foden proved to be an inspired sub.
City’s academy graduate was not even on the pitch for two minutes before he set De Bruyne clear to beat Jan Oblak in what was the night’s decisive moment.
The clash at the Etihad had adopted a clear pattern from minute one. Atletico sat deep, often camping 11 men behind the ball as City attempted to find a way through.
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For periods it looked as if their relentlessness would be stifled by the Spanish side as Oblak remained largely untested despite the amount of possession for the hosts – that was until he had to pick the ball out of his own net.
The visitors were working off scraps but remain firmly in the tie as they prepare for the return leg at the Wanda Metropolitano in a weeks time. Here are five talking points from the Champions League clash.
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