The eight days until we return are going to be long. Eternal, I would say.

The match at the Etihad promises to be the mother of all battles, one of the best matches in the history of the Champions League.

If the first leg was spectacular, the second leg with the drama of deciding a finalist could be... something else.

There is no doubt that these two teams were the ones that should have met in Istanbul on 10 June.

UEFA should award two trophies, one on 17 May and the other on 10 June.

It is also likely that next Wednesday Erling Haaland, silenced at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, will appear at his best. The Norwegian became small in Madrid. Or, rather, they made him small.

The main reason was Antonio Rudiger, who is a brave man. He had a mission and he went for it without hesitation. He played a great game.

David Alaba was also a shining light, providing excellent cover.

Then there is Eduardo Camavinga, who is a phenomenal player and the darling of the Bernabeu. 2,000 Madridistas will travel to Manchester expecting the most difficult game yet.

No Haaland

The Bernabeu feared him and the first few times he touched the ball he provoked a murmur in the stands, but then Haaland came to nothing. Perfectly controlled by Rudiger, he barely had a half-chance, but it was a soft shot into the hands of Courtois.

It would be wise not to be complacent, however, because in Manchester he won't be staring at the ceiling as he did for some periods during the first-leg.

Camavinga, a signing that makes a difference

Don't dwell on the passing error in De Bruyne's goal, because he always plays like that. And that's why he's so good.

Camavinga had a great game. The signing of the French midfielder in the last breath of the 2021 market, is one of those moves that makes a difference compared to the other teams.

For what you get and what others don't get. How much money you would be talking about now. The Frenchman is a player who landed on his feet at the Bernabeu - he even scored on his debut - and who practically pulls out a 10/10 every time he plays.

At full-back or in the middle, he always does his best and he's already winning games.

About Rudiger

He said it in MARCA: "Not everyone can play for Real Madrid". Against City, the German showed that he is in the select group of those who can. His marking of Haaland was spectacular.

Without Militao, it was his turn to compete with the toughest of the tough and at no time did he shirk the battle. His physicality and concentration won him over and he brought the Bernabeu to its feet with his commitment.

Don Antonio Rudiger, a player who connects with the crowd and opens a debate for the return leg. Seeing what he did with Haaland, how can he not be a repeat selection in the second leg?

Another great match at the Bernabeu

The Estadio Santiago Bernabeu is in its element in the Champions League. It is no longer just the stadium that intimidates in comebacks, it also scores goals in the first leg.

Supporting the team from the arrival of the bus, it carries the players all the way through the 90 minutes. A 10 for a fan base that is always described as cold, but which is a volcano in the Champions League.

In the end, always Carvajal

Criticized during many phases of the season, Carvajal has once again arrived in May like a plane. When he is like that, he competes like nobody else.

His duel with Grealish was spectacular, but in the end Carvajal ended up smiling. It's normal that Madrid don't think of signing another right-back, because Carvajal always comes back when it matters.

Davide is hard at work on the whiteboard

Ancelotti vindicated himself, back in March, by saying that his team was very well coached. And it is true.

Against City, they came up with an abundance of strategic moves from free-kicks, corners and even crosses.

They surprised Guardiola's team and these chances simply didn't end in a goal because they missed the final shot.

What a pair of missiles

Vini and De Bruyne scored the goals of the night. Both with two missiles, almost from the same position, both in the North End goal. That the Belgian had that shot in his arsenal was a known fact. Vini, not so much.

Accustomed to seeing his dribbles and his one-on-one moves, he surprised us with a cannonball from the edge of the area, one of the few things missing from his repertoire. If he adds aerial play one day, he will be perfect.

It was the final

The match did not disappoint. Real Madrid and Manchester City played a great game at the Bernabeu, with both teams constantly swapping control.

Pep's side started off overwhelmingly dominant, but Real Madrid, who know where the loopholes are in the Champions League, picked themselves up.

After half-time, Los Blancos were a hurricane. But then it was City's turn again. In other words: a great game. And the best thing is that there are still 90 minutes to go... at least.