A Manchester City left-back shone on the biggest stage against Real Madrid

Manchester City came from a goal down to beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu last night. The win was crucial to Manchester City’s Champions League campaign as Pep Guardiola’s side consolidated their place in the top-eight of of the UEFA Champions League league phase table. There was a host of players for City who put in strong performances against Real Madrid. Perhaps the most impressive performance came from Nico O’Reilly at left-back. Manchester City’s young England international showed he is right at home on the biggest stage with a strong display in a crucial City win.

Like his teammates, Nico O’Reilly wasn’t at his best in the opening half-hour of last night’s match. City dominated possession but they were too open at times as Real Madrid pressed City with a sense of urgency in the game’s opening half-hour. Nico O’Reilly had a difficult time at left-back against Rodrygo who opened the scoring last for Xabi Alonso’s side after 28 minutes. But from that point onwards, Nico O’Reilly and his team grew into the game. Come the final whistle Nico O’Reilly’s contribution to Manchester City’s win was immense on one of the biggest stages in European football.

First of all, Nico O’Reilly scored Manchester City’s equaliser in the 35th minute. He reacted quickest to tap in past Thibaut Courtois after the Real Madrid keeper failed to deal with a Josko Gvardiol header from a Rayan Cherki corner. It was Nico O’Reilly’s run and cross into the penalty area that led to Antonio Rudiger’s foul on Erling Haaland which led to a spot kick for City . Erling Haaland converted the penalty to help his team overturn a 1-nil deficit and take a 2-1 lead into the interval. It would be a lead that City would hold onto come the final whistle. Nico O’Reilly was at the heart of Manchester City’s turnaround as he put in a display that showed that he is thriving on the big stage.

What stands out in Nico O’Reilly’s game is his ability to remain undaunted by an opponent, a mistake or an occasion. The young England international wasn’t afraid of the challenge in front of him last night. More experienced players than Nico O’Reilly have crumbled under the pressure of facing Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Nico O’Reilly isn’t a player who will join that list as he showed last night.

Speaking after his team’s win , Pep Guardiola had high praise for the ability of Nico O’Reilly to play without fear and put his mistakes in a match behind him. Speaking on Nico O’Reilly’s performance, Pep Guardiola said: “ Now he is left back for England, for the national team, he has incredible pace and is so intelligent and makes mistakes, but he tries and that is top. Everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes you make a mistake because you are not courageous enough. ”

Like his team, Nico O’Reilly put a difficult opening half-hour behind him to help set Manchester City on their way to victory at the Bernabeu overnight. He played a crucial role in Manchester City’s important win as he played a critical role in both of his team’s goals. Just as important as Nico O’Reilly’s goal contributions was his ability to play undaunted by previous events that had unfolded in last night’s match. In the process Nico O’Reilly showed that he is made for the biggest stage as he continues to go from strength to strength as a player.