Man City fans blamed in Real Madrid collapse after Rodri ‘wind up’
Man City fans displayed a TIFO pre-match in an attempt to wind-up Real Madrid but saw it backfire, according to Jamie Carragher.
October 2024 was punctuated by Rodri‘s somewhat surprising Ballon d’Or victory. Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior were of the belief that the trophy would be heading back to the Spanish capital, and did not take news of the City midfielder’s victory well.
Neymar made critical comments at Vini Jr. not winning the Ballon d’Or, and Madrid as a club boycotted the awards ceremony in protest at the decision.
Man City legend Sergio Aguero called Real Madrid “entitled” for their response, and it quickly became the talk of the footballing world.
However, despite having the last laugh with Rodri winning the award, City fans could not help themselves, as they unveiled a TIFO at the Etihad on 11 February that read “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”, with a photo of Rodri kissing his prestigious award.
The comment is in reference to Oasis lyrics and is a jab at Madrid’s reaction to Vinicius missing out on the award, but Carragher believes it was a short-sighted decision to display the banner, saying: “Let’s wind Real Madrid up, even though we’ve still got to go to the Bernabeu next week.”
Man City continue dismal form against Real Madrid
Football Insider Verdict
Prior to the match, manager Pep Guardiola said he did not know which City side would show up against the Spanish champions, the answer was both.
City have at times looked unstoppable this season, but rarely for full-matches. It took a mistake from Abdukodir Khusanov on his debut against Chelsea for the team to wake-up, and they responded by dominating the Blues and winning 3-1 (25 January).
However, for most of this season, City have looked lifeless and leggy, suffering from the hangover of winning four Premier League titles on the bounce.
It all changed against Real Madrid though, as City came flying out of the gates, and despite the Spanish side botching a number of chances, particularly from Kylian Mbappe, the Sky Blues took a deserved lead in the 19th minute through Erling Haaland.
Mbappe would finally capitalise on the chances created for him, in a comical manner, as his scuffed attempt kindly bounced past a hapless Ederson.
Haaland was not about to be outshone by the Frenchman though, as he once again gave City the lead, this time from the penalty spot in the 80th minute.
That was the good City side. The bad one reared it’s ugly head in the 86th minute, as Ederson made a mistake that had Man City fans livid, and Brahim Diaz tucked home.
The Sky Blues of old would have recognised that, whilst frustrating, a draw going into the second-leg was still a good result, but this current City side did the worst thing possible, and allowed Madrid to nick a late winner, through Jude Bellingham.
Man City reliant on a win at the Bernabeu to save season
Needing a win away to Real Madrid is a horrendously precarious position to find yourself in, and that is exactly where City are.
Having gifted the game to the Champions League’s most decorated side, Guardiola’s side have it all to do.
However, all hope is not lost, as the first 85 minutes showed that City are capable of beating this Madrid side, they just need to avoid making the comical errors that cost them in the first-leg.
With this team though, easier said than done.