Jack Grealish reveals text from his mum ahead of Real Madrid clash
‘These are the nights you dreamed of as a kid’: Jack Grealish reveals pre-match text from his mum ahead of Manchester City’s showdown with Real Madrid… as the England star admits playing in a Champions League semi-final was a ‘pinch yourself’ moment
- A pre-match text from Mum made Jack Grealish realise a dream had come true
- Grealish admits the joy of playing in such a big Champions League semi-final
- Re-live all the action as Man City draw 1-1 with Real Madrid in pulsating first leg
Jack Grealish revealed that a pre-match text from his mum made him realise what a dream it was to play in a Champions League semi-final.
The England midfielder started for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s men drew 1-1 in their first leg clash at the Bernabeu.
Vinicius Jnr opened the scoring just after the half hour mark with a thunderbolt of a strike that fizzed past Ederson, before Kevin De Bruyne equalised for City with a powerful drive of his own.
After the game, Grealish spoke to BT Sport and confessed it was a text from his Mum that saw the enormity of the game dawn on him.
Grealish said: ‘I had a text from my mum before the game saying; “These are the nights you dreamed of as a kid,” and it’s true.
Jack Grealish saltues the crowd following Man City’s 1-1 first leg draw with Real Madrid
A pre-match text from his Mum made Grealish realise what a dream it was to play these games
‘Playing in the Champions semi-final in a stadium like that everyone in the world was probably watching, sometimes you pinch yourself.’
Fans in the stadium were also pleased to see Grealish on the pitch, and sung his name as the players applauded the travelling support – with Grealish acknowledging his ‘Super Jack’ chant.
Those inside the Bernabeu would have witnessed the Man City’s number 10’s tussle with Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal down the left flank. A battle that Grealish admits he enjoyed.
‘Playing against Carvajal, so many people said to me “you know what he’s going to be like,” but listen it was a good battle and I really enjoyed it out there,’ the England star told BT Sport.
I was tired at the end. I’ve never had cramp before, but i had it both my calves at the end of the game.’
There was no sign from City of any hangover from last season’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Real, at the same stage, with Grealish stating that this is a new team, and that they now have the perfect blend of players.
‘We have a new team, different players,’ he added. ‘It’s a year ago, one thing I can say is that we’ve learned so much since last year.
One of the key battles of the game was Grealish’s tussle with Dani Carvajal on the left flank
Grealish believes this current Man City team have the perfect balance to succeed
‘I think we have the perfect balance of experience, a few youngsters like Phil, Erling. Then we have the experience and I think we just have quality. I’ve never felt so confident going onto the pitch and having the players around me.’
The draw leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of the second leg at the Etihad next week, where given the home advantage City should go into as slight favourites to make their second Champions League final.
A Champions League final would be a fitting finale to the season for Grealish, who has shown why Man City spent £100million on him with his form this season.
The 25-year-old has impressed as one of Guardiola’s key men, notching up 45 appearances and five goals so far, as City chase a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
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