It was every bit the pulsating encountered fans hoped for when the repeat of last season's semi-final was confirmed.
Manchester City had succeeded in harrying and stifling Real Madrid, until the reigning champions did what they do so well. A goal out of nothing from Vinicius left the tie finely poised, and just as Real Madrid were looking at their most comfortable, City hit back with a rocket from Kevin De Bruyne.
"Punters were thinking outside the box in the first leg," said Steve Freeth. "We boosted KDB to score from such a distance and we had a number of punters doubling up with Vinicius Jr to do the same in Bet Builders at 450/1!"
Carlo Ancelotti said earlier in the week that the game will be decided in Manchester, and while City were all too happy to take a draw back to the Etihad, the Italian will probably be quite content that his side are in position whereby the game will indeed be decided in Manchester, rather than Madrid.
City remain odds-on favourites for a first Champions League at 8/13 while Real are 5/2 just to reach the final.