Phil Foden has expressed disappointment in their thrilling 3-3 draw against Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final match-up in the UEFA Champions League.
On Tuesday night, the Cityzens and Los Blancos put in an enthralling showdown, with Phil Foden awarded the game’s best player after a stunning strike from the edge of the 18-yard box on the 66th-minute mark.
The goal from the English international was Manchester City’s equaliser following Real Madrid’s 2-1 lead with a Ruben Dias own goal and a Rodrygo finish. Guardiola’s men had struck first blood in the second minute through Bernardo Silva to set the pace for a match characterised by stunning goals
Phil Foden while expressing his satisfaction with the positive aspects of their performance after the six-goal thriller at the Santiago Bernabeu was quick to point out their disappointment as well.
Speaking after the game about Manchester City’s overall performance, Foden expressed the team’s desire to be the better side come the end of the tie, insisting that their gaze lies with what was done right and how that can be improved in the second leg despite Real Madrid’s late equaliser.
“Yeah we are a little bit disappointed especially when we were 3-2 up. I think we could have controlled it a little bit more. We didn’t keep the ball off the goal kick and yeah they went on and scored with a fantastic strike. We can’t dwell on it like I said there are so many positives and things that we can improve moving into the second leg”, he said.
Foden also highlighted his stunning strike that exploded through the Santiago Bernabeu, and believes constant practice was the reason he could pull something as incredible as that in such a high-profile game .
“I did you know, I just felt the sweet connection with it and it’s sometimes you know we practice it in training and you receive it at the edge of the box. Sometimes it doesn’t go in and I’m just thankful today that I’ve seen it go into the top corner” he said after the game.
After his strike, City went ahead through Gvardiol’s 71st-minute goal but Ferde Valverde came to the rescue of Real Madrid once more ensuring the game ended in a 3-3 draw to set the stage for a much-anticipated second-leg tie at the Etihad.
Phil Foden now has 29 goal contributions for Manchester City this season, and the 23-year-old will be aiming to be crucial once again in the second-leg clash on Wednesday, 17th April, at the Etihad Stadium.