Breathtaking night in Madrid as epic draw means City in believe - again

City confirmed their position as prime contenders to retain their Champions League trophy with a resilient performance containing three outstanding goals as they held their own at a raucous Bernabeu to leave with a 3-3 draw.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

WHERE do you start?

The Blues were second-best for half the game but battled back and were inspired by this season's talisman Phil Foden in a thrilling contest to overcome the difficulties that continue to crop up.

If it still feels like a battle to hit the heights of last season, the team that walked off the pitch in Madrid on Tuesday had shown to the whole world that they are up for the fight.

Last year everything fell into place at the perfect time for City and they were able to cope at the Bernabeu without the injured Nathan Ake because they had Manu Akanji complementing Kyle Walker at full-back and Kevin De Bruyne scoring a crucial equaliser.

Not only have Ake and Walker been sidelined in recent weeks but De Bruyne fell ill on the afternoon of the match, forcing a late switch.

Luck is a major factor in winning silverware and it has not been on City's side this season, adding to the feeling that they are up against it despite coming into this game on a 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions and a streak of 10 consecutive Champions League wins.

The last team to avoid defeat against them in Europe was Real here in the first leg of the semi-final, but they have won only one of their last six games against the Blues and their 17 goals conceded in 10 matches against them is the most against any team they have played at least five times.

That has explained the nerves in Madrid this year, with the scars City carved open in the second leg last year prompting anxiety and caution from Madridistas in the build-up to the match.