Real Madrid were bailed out of yet another Champions League game by the brilliance of Vinicius Junior, but more importantly Karim Benzema.
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Two goals for the French forward, including a late Panenka penalty, came either side of a wonderful solo goal from Vinicius Jr that had shades of Gareth Bale's famous winner in the 2014 Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
The pair saved Real Madrid as they have done so frequently this season, and kept the final within touching distance as they head back to the Santiago Bernabeu with only a one-goal deficit to recover despite Manchester City's dominance.
Expected goals had the tie 3.08 to 1.66 in Man City's favour, yet Real Madrid hung on to keep the tie nicely poised for the return leg.
However, the ease with which Los Blancos were carved open by Pep Guardiola's side should concern Carlo Ancelotti greatly. With Casemiro only fit enough for the bench after missing the past two La Liga games entirely, Real Madrid started with a midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Federico Valverde.
Kroos sat as the deepest of the three, but it was an unbalanced midfield clearly unsettled by the loss of the player who stiches it all together in Casemiro.
While Kroos has the elegance and technical ability to match any player in world football, he isn't mobile or defensively aware enough to play as a single pivot. And for all of Valverde's strengths, he is far more effective when carrying the ball forward than remaining disciplined in a fixed shape.
Casemiro's absence meant Real Madrid were sliced open time and time again by the likes of Kevin de Bruyne. One standout moment was Phil Foden's missed chance in the first-half. It was a passage of play that deserves applaud, but Real Madrid's midfield were nowhere to be seen.
Franchement quel plaisir de regarder un match de ce niveau là 👀🥰#UCL
De Bruyne was given the freedom of the Etihad pitch to pick an inch-perfect pass to Foden, who's shot narrowly fizzed past Thibaut Courtois' far post.
Real Madrid were yet to lose a game in which Casemiro hasn't featured this season until defeat away to Man City, but their problems without him were displayed for the world to see at the Etihad Stadium.
With the succession plan to Real's midfield already underway, it's no surprise that Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni is high on the wishlist.
The fully-capped France international is wanted all across Europe, but Real Madrid desperately need him. They need someone to fill in for Casemiro during his absences and Tchouameni would be the perfect successor to the Brazilian at the base of Madrid's midfield trio.
Why must Real Madrid pounce to sign Tchouameni?
First of all, there's a reason why almost every elite European club is chasing the Monaco player. Tchouameni is a huge defensive presence, with the ball-playing ability to match.
ESPN have reported that Real Madrid are seriously interested in signing the player, while Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked.
Liverpool appear to be Real Madrid's biggest rivals for Tchouameni at the moment as they have stepped up their interest in the Frenchman, according to Foot Mercato.
But, it's important Real Madrid beat Jurgen Klopp's side to his signature in order to secure such a prodigious talent.
As seen against Man City, Real Madrid can easily be played through. Chelsea tore them to shreds at time during the second-leg of their Champions League tie and Man City did the same.
Tchouameni would help prevent that.
According to WhoScored, the Frenchman has made more tackles and interceptions this season (170) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues.
A monster at winning possession back, Tchouameni is a similar but different profile to Casemiro. As well as the gritty side of defending, the Monaco star is also adept at transitioning through the thirds and progressing the ball via a carry. In fact, he's completing over 1.0 more progressive carries per 90 than Casemiro.
He's far more inexperienced than the Brazilian, but Tchouameni has the potential to solidify the Real Madrid midfield for years to come and they'll rue a missed opportunity if they don't sign him this summer.
