Three questions and three answers from Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City

Real Madrid stunned European rivals Manchester City with a rampant 3-0 victory at the Bernabéu on Wednesday night as Fede Valverde scored a stunning hat-trick in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16 encounter. This, the fifth consecutive season in which these two sides have met in the knock-out rounds, saw Valverde strike as he broke past Donnarumma on the counter, adding a second on his left foot from the edge of the box moments later and then saving best till last with a classy volley from close range to make it 3-0 and take home the match ball.

1. Would Álvaro Arbeloa opt for experience?

Álvaro Arbeloa cannot be criticised since his arrival for not giving chances to youngsters. The likes of Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero, Manuel Ángel, and others have become regulars in squad lists since Arbeloa stepped up from Castilla, and even in the starting line-up in the case of Thiago Pitarch, who started the two previous games. However, he now had Eduardo Camavinga back available, and had already shown some signs of opting for the big-ego and big-experience players by opting for Brahim Díaz over Gonzalo García in Vigo last weekend. Many expected Camavinga to walk straight back into the team after overcoming a dental issue, but Pitarch continued in his role. He still looked a little out of place, one costly error of judgement almost allowing a point-blanc goal for Manchester City as he hesitated in his own box, but was generally composed and tidy, registering 94% pass completion and not being dispossessed at all. Arbeloa was willing to stick with his principles, even if that did open him up for major criticism if his gamble hadn’t paid off.

2. Without Mbappé, could the scoring streak at the Bernabéu reach 40 games in a row in the Champions League?

Real Madrid have scored in every knock-out Champions League game at home dating back to 2011, a 15-year streak which tonight became 40 games in a row. Without top scorer Kylian Mbappé and with Arbeloa again testing the false nine system which struggled against Celta Vigo in La Liga on Friday night, there were plenty of reasons for some in the stands to be feeling the pressure of such a stat. Fede Valverde ensured that it still worked out, and Real Madrid can extend this impressive run which stands them in good stead and feeds the optimism around the club heading into each and every knock-out game at the stadium. If Real Madrid do go through, they could face Bayern Munich in the next round, a side who have a strong defensive record but are not unbreakable. Keeping this record going, as they did against the odds against Manchester City, could be the key to unlocking a place in the fight for the Champions League crown this season.

3. Are Real Madrid favourites?

Much of the debate pre-match surrounded who the favourites were in this tie. Given Real Madrid’s heritage, there were plenty who pointed to Los Blancos, including Arbeloa himself in his pre-match press conference. “We shouldn’t feel inferior to anyone,” he said, adding that, “we know how difficult this tie is going to be, but we’re going to face it with great enthusiasm, looking them in the eye”. That’s exactly what Real Madrid, with no sign of nerves or feeling second best, even against a Manchester City side who beat them at this same stadium as recently as December. In that game, Real Madrid were praised for not sitting back on their laurels, but this time around, the side was set up far more aggressively and with more of an optimistic outset of looking to gamble on loose balls and opportunities, pressing high and effectively. This was much more of a team performance, and it showed with a side who came out with the knife between their teeth.

1. Has Fede Valverde ever scored a hat-trick before?

Forget whether Fede Valverde had ever scored three in the same game before, he’d only scored two in the same match once before. Two goals in the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2023 against Al Hilal was the only previous time that the Uruguayan had scored more than a single goal in a game. Deployed in a more advanced role, Valverde matched his goal return from the last 40 games combined in just one night. Scoring with all three of his efforts on goal, he possessed an incredible amount of energy and stamina to continually burst down the right flank and lead the charge, both in and out of possession. His goals reflected that, rather than his usual trademark thunderbolt strikes from distance, they were rooted in perseverance and his never-say-die attitude which saw him continually chase every loose ball and gamble on it paying off. Tonight, it did. This may be Fede’s greatest individual night as a Real Madrid player, and it came precisely when his team was looking for a leader to step up.

2. Do Real Madrid have one foot in the quarter-final?

Even the most optimistic of Madridistas wouldn’t have seen a 3-0 scoreline coming from the first leg. Heading to Manchester with a three goal advantage is a massive boost, but does not mean the tie is done and dusted just yet. This season alone, Manchester City have beaten both Manchester United and Liverpool by a 3-0 scoreline at the Etihad, among others, and that would be enough to take the game to extra-time. This kind of dominance is one that even the greatest of Real Madrid sides rarely encountered, this being only the fourth time in history that Real Madrid have scored three goals in the first half of a UEFA Champions League knockout match, the first since April 2014 against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, and now Real Madrid have to see it out. Inviting them to close out the game in a hostile opposition stadium adds pressure to a fragile defence, and while this is a dream result for Real Madrid, there can be no room for complacency.

3. Should Vinícius Júnior still be taking penalties?

If there was a chance for Real Madrid to edge close to killing off this game, it was with Vinícius Júnior’s second-half penalty which was low and tame at the perfect height for Gianluigi Donnarumma to save. It was Vini’s second penalty miss this season, from five taken, adding to two misses from six penalties in 2024/25. While Kylian Mbappé‘s record is impecable, with only one miss from 13 penalties this season, Real Madrid need a back-up spot-kick taker who can step up when needed. On the night, there were few alternatives. Fede Valverde has only ever taken one penalty in match action for Real Madrid, at the Club World Cup against Al Hilal last summer, and missed. The usual alternatives, such as Jude Bellingham or Rodrygo, were also absent due to injuries. Vini should be the man to step up, but his record leaves enough question marks to open a debate.