Real Madrid Prove Their Champions League DNA

MADRID, THURSDAY — Real Madrid was without several key players, including striker Kylian Mbappe, when hosting Manchester City in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the Champions League in Madrid, Thursday (12/3/2026) early morning WIB. However, they did not need Mbappe as Federico Valverde scored a hat trick to lead Madrid to victory over the English representative.

The result further proves that the true DNA of Real Madrid is the Champions League. With their fierce performances on the European stage, which at times contrast with their displays in La Liga matches, it is not surprising that Los Blancos hold the record for the most trophies with 15 Champions League titles.

Valverde scored a phenomenal hat-trick in the first half, shattering the hopes of Pep Guardiola's team at the Santiago Bernabeu. The home side should have been able to extend their lead further. Unfortunately, a penalty execution by Vinicius Junior in the second half was thwarted by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Will Vinicius's failure be costly in the second leg match in Manchester next week? It seems difficult for City to overturn a three-goal deficit, even though Madrid's performance this season has been inconsistent.

City, who won the Champions League for the first time in 2023, including defeating Real Madrid along the way, should have put up a stronger fight. Furthermore, Madrid's poor form throughout the Champions League campaign forced them into a playoff against Benfica.

However, the Spanish giant delivered the most convincing performance of the season at the most crucial moment, leaving the visiting team from England unable to respond. "It is truly extraordinary; you dream of nights like this. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a match like this. I am very happy, but more than anything because the team won," said Valverde.

Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa is forced to assemble a squad to face Guardiola's tactics without key players such as Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes. He even has to field 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch in the midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni as an anchor, supporting Arda Guler and Valverde.

Pitarch was installed due to his brilliant performances after being trusted to play several times in Madrid's main team. Arbeloa stated that he hopes for one or two surprises from Guardiola, and the Catalan coach of City has chosen a very attacking lineup, aiming to exploit the weaknesses often displayed by the hosts this season.

Guardiola chose to field only two central midfielders, leaving Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki on the bench. Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi made their Champions League debuts, and for a brief period, City seemed to adapt to that tactic at the Bernabeu.

Trent Alexander-Arnold performed well to contain Erling Haaland before Semenyo forced goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a save. Against the run of play, Madrid unexpectedly took the lead when Courtois sent a long pass towards Valverde. Nico O'Reilly misjudged the direction of the ball, allowing Valverde to break into the City penalty area.

Donnarumma emerged from his nest to try to stop him, but Valverde passed him and scored in the 20th minute. Seven minutes later, the Madrid captain scored again. Vinicius provided an assist to the Uruguayan player, who calmly shot past Donnarumma to double the home team's advantage.

After a difficult first half of the season, which he spent mostly as a right-back under former Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, the arrival of Arbeloa's replacement in January freed Valverde. The 27-year-old player returned to his preferred position as a midfielder, and his confidence has been restored.

Valverde scored the winning goal in the final minutes against Celta Vigo in LaLiga last Friday, and stated that the result has boosted the team's morale ahead of the Champions League match. He seems to be trying to remain optimistic before the game against City, where most people envision Madrid will struggle this time.

However, Los Blancos that appeared on Thursday early morning seemed like a different team. They played as a team that has rediscovered its confidence and demonstrated its Champions League DNA.

Valverde completed his first career hat-trick before the break with a goal in the 42nd minute. Valverde cleverly directed Brahim Diaz's pass past Guehi before unleashing a stunning volley beyond Donnarumma's reach.

The beautiful goal was met with thunderous applause from the Bernabeu crowd. Finally, they witnessed the Madrid they have known all along, dynamic, and most importantly, competitive.

Diaz nearly scored the fourth goal shortly after halftime, but Donnarumma thwarted him, and City continued to struggle after the break. Vinicius should have been able to score after the Italian goalkeeper brought him down in the penalty area, but Donnarumma was able to read the direction of the Brazilian player's shot to save his goal.

On the City side, Haaland was rendered powerless throughout the match by the central defensive duo of Madrid, Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen. Guardiola even substituted the striker while they were in pursuit of a goal.

The best opportunity for City to reduce the deficit fell to O'Reilly as Pitarch's focus waned, but Courtois displayed phenomenal reflexes to save Madrid's goal. "The match in Manchester is very difficult. We have to go there as if the score is 0-0 and work hard," said Valverde.

"You will see it when the entire team works together, all for the same goal. We have shown that when the team works hard, we can achieve great things," Valverde added. (AFP)