Real Madrid entered the match against Manchester City as a team many considered to be underdogs, yet they triumphed decisively, leaving City shocked and scrambling. Federico Valverde showcased an outstanding performance, netting a hat trick often described as the finest the Spanish league has encountered in decades.

The situation was not as unexpected as it seemed. Despite the anticipation surrounding Pep Guardiola’s squad, the reality was that a loss was looming, highlighted by the struggles of players like Rodri and Bernardo Silva who have seen this situation unfold repeatedly over the past year.

A crucial factor in this downfall was the absence of Rodri, whose injury has severely impacted City’s defense against counter-attacks. Since his ACL injury back in September 2024, City has struggled to defend adequately, allowing a concerning 13.05 expected goals (xG) since then, the most amongst Premier League teams.

Even with Rodri’s return, he didn’t appear at his best, raising questions about whether he would ever regain his peak performance. As for City’s ability to counter Madrid’s play, it was previously a hallmark of Guardiola’s coaching, showcasing intense positional discipline and awareness.

Despite the absence of stars like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Valverde delivered a stellar attack, taking advantage of City’s defensive lapses. Erling Haaland, City’s key forward, faced a rare night where he failed to register a single shot on target, which speaks volumes about the disarray within the team.

City’s expected goals total for the match was a mere 0.23, providing little drama to what should have been a riveting encounter. In truth, the night reflected the established narrative of this fierce rivalry; Real Madrid continues to deliver in the clutch, while City struggles to reclaim their European glory.