Real Madrid have shared the spoils in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Manchester City as they played out a goalless draw. 

It was a first 45 minutes to forget from both sides with Karim Benzema's wayward shot right at the end of the first period been the only chance of any recognition for either side.

It picked up slightly in the second period with chances for Sergio Aguero, Sergio Ramos, Jese RodriguezGareth Bale, Casermiro and Pepe but Madrid will be happy to take the result to the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday. 

Above: Vincent Kompany battles with Casemiro in Real Madrid's 0-0 with Manchester City | Photo: Ian Hodgson
Above: Vincent Kompany battles with Casemiro in Real Madrid's 0-0 with Manchester City | Photo: Ian Hodgson

Tale of two defences 

Manuel Pellegrini's side were handed big boost ahead of kick-off with Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo been ruled out of the clash at the Etihad Stadium but it had no affect with neither side producing a chance of recognition. 

The first 45 minutes were reduced to half-chances which were mainly sniffed out, Gareth Bale looked to have got behind the City defence in the 21st minute but his low ball was cleared by Vincent Kompany

City led the attacks and the stage looked to be set for Kevin De Bruyne to strike again in Europe's elite competition as the ball came out to him on the edge of the area in the 27th minute but Dani Carvajal did well to block. 

City were handed a blow five minutes from the end with David Silva hobbled off with injury and it had the potential to get worse when Pepe set it up for Benzema but the Frenchman's effort was well over. 

Above; Gareth Bale is fouled during Real Madrid's 0-0 draw with Manchester City | Photo: Reuters
Above; Gareth Bale is fouled during Real Madrid's 0-0 draw with Manchester City | Photo: Reuters

On the up 

The second set of 45 minutes got off to a much brighter as Fernandinho's through ball finds Aguero who steadied himself but his effort was well over Keylor Navas' crossbar. 

The first real opportunity on target came in the 53rd minute as Ramos rose highest to Toni Kroos' corner into box and the unmarked Ramos should have punished the poor City defending but the effort was straight at Joe Hart

Above: Joe Hart saves from Pepe's close-range effort in Real Madrid's 0-0 draw with Manchester City | Photo: Reuters
Above: Joe Hart saves from Pepe's close-range effort in Real Madrid's 0-0 draw with Manchester City | Photo: Reuters

Hart's on fire 

Zinedene Zidane's side began to turn the screw as the game began to draw to an end and had three excellent opportunities to snatch a crucial away goal. 

Kroos had proven a problem in the second period from a dead-ball position and was at it again in the 74th minute when a curled effort found Jese whose spinning header looked to have beaten but could only clatter the crossbar. 

They came even closer four minutes later when another ball into the area this time found the head of Casermiro but the Brazilian could only produce a great save from Hart as he deflected it away with his foot. 

Hart went one step further as the game entered the final ten minutes as Pepe looked destined to score as he was unmarked six yards out but his shot was straight into the chest of the England goalkeeper. 

City had the final say on the night as De Bruyne looked to outfox Navas with a extra-time free-kick but the keeper did well to tip it over the crossbar. 

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.