Manchester City slumped to defeat at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, crashing out of the Champions League at the hands of a relentless Real Madrid side.
In the first fixture between the two, Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-2 at the Etihad. But City took the lead in that game and proved to themselves that they have what it takes to compete against Europe’s best, although Madrid were simply too much for City at the Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick on the night to seal himself the match ball and to put Madrid into the next round of the competition, after a 3-1 win (6-2 on aggregate). Nico scored a late consolation for City.
Pep Guardiola’s side were weak at best. Erling Haaland was left on the bench owing to a knee injury sustained in the 4-0 win over Newcastle United last weekend, leaving Omar Marmoush to lead the line in Madrid.
But the January signing from Eintracht Frankfurt certainly had his work cut out against a Real Madrid side that defended well on the night.
Steve McManaman wonders why Omar Marmoush was on corner duty for Man City at Real Madrid
Guardiola would’ve been looking towards Marmoush to make something happen at the Bernabeu, given the fact that Haaland starting on the bench. Last weekend, Marmoush netted a hat-trick against Newcastle United and set himself a high bar for this reverse fixture at Madrid.
But Marmoush looked isolated throughout the game on Wednesday night. The Egyptian couldn’t get into the game against a very resolute and dominant Real Madrid side on the night, with City clearly missing Haaland’s bursting, vertical runs on the pitch.
And TNT commentator Steve McManaman spotted something that he described as ‘strange’ on Wednesday night. He said during the game: “It’s strange seeing Marmoush taking the set-pieces isn’t it? You’d think with Haaland not in the team he’d be in the area trying to score and waiting for knock downs, but no, he’s actually taking the set pieces, the free kick earlier and the corner there.”
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Omar Marmoush’s set piece record
Marmoush had a tough task at the Bernabeu. He had to lead the line for a City side that hasn’t been at its best of late, against a Madrid side known for their quality on European football’s biggest stage.
He put in the yards but couldn’t make anything of note happen, capping a disappointing night for the 26-year-old in the end. But his being on set pieces may be explained by an impressive free kick record with four goals from free kicks in his career, including three in three games at Frankfurt earlier in the season. He even rattled the crossbar against Madrid with a free kick.
Although, the likes of Phil Foden may have been a better option against Madrid, with no Haaland. Like McManaman says, Marmoush’s eye for goal would’ve been best served in the box on corners, waiting for the ball to drop.
Man City return to action against Liverpool on Sunday.
