Sports Desk,
In the biggest club fixture so far this year, both sides exchanged leads in each half before leaving the field optimistic about their chances in the second leg at Etihad in eight days' time.
City's third visit to
Real responded robustly and took control of the game within 15 minutes after
City could not have expected to start the game better than how Silva capitalized on the late reaction of goalkeeper
Real was quick to recover from the double setback by a stroke of luck, as Eduardo Camavinga's shot from 25 yards out in 12 minutes took a big defection off Dias and wrongfooted
It gave the hosts momentum, and two minutes after the equalizer, they took the lead, with Rodrygo running onto
City brought a change in their technique in the second half as Foden moved to right after remaining largely anonymous in the first half.
This proved to be a masterstroke as the talented midfielder whipped a thunderous shot into the top corner to bring City level in 66 minutes.
Five minutes later, City were ahead with another brilliant goal from Gvardiol, who unleashed a thunderbolt that curled in to leave the home crowd stunned.
Real did not take much time to respond again, as Valverde received a Vinicius pass and volleyed the ball into the far post to secure a draw and deny City any advantage in the second half.
City coach Guardiola, however, was still happy with his ream's efforts.
"I think that was a really good, entertaining match, which dignified this competition. Both teams wanted to attack in different way. What I liked most was how we played in the second half at 2-1 down," he said.
"We showed composure, we controlled the game really well. In Manchester it will be a sell-out in our stadium, our fans will try to help us score the 1-0, then we'll do the rest. The team that wins next week goes to the semi-final."
Real's Ancelotti was not very discontent either.
"This was a well-balanced game, both teams really competed to the limit; it was a hard-fought draw. For as long as we pressed them, we were in very good shape," he said.
"We tried hard to take advantage of our capacity to play quick-transition football."
The return leg between the two teams will now be held in Manchester on
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