Manchester City managed to salvage a draw (1-1) at the Bernabéu in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid, but Erling Haaland, in his first game at the white stadium, was not the star of a memorable performance.
Expectations were high, and the Norwegian was disappointed. He did not get involved in the game much, and although this sometimes happens, this time, unlike other games, he had little influence when he did. Specifically, Haaland touched the ball 21 times, the least of all 22 starters, even fewer than the two goalkeepers.
He barely had half the touches of Benzema (38) and far fewer than Jack Grealish (49), the second least involved Manchester City player. Additionally, he lost the ball on 5 occasions, and the only positive note, amidst his lackluster performance, was that he won 5 of the 7 duels he contested, 2 out of 3 aerial and 3 out of 4 ground duels. Haaland arrived at the Bernabéu on a hot streak, and much was expected of him, but things did not go as well as anticipated.