City v Real Madrid: Ballon d’Or banner gave me strength – Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior said he was motivated by Manchester City fans’ banners after playing a key role in Real Madrid’s thrilling Champions League triumph at the Etihad Stadium.

Prior to Tuesday’s play-off first leg at the Etihad Stadium, the visiting team was greeted by a massive flag, mocking the Brazilian’s second-place finish to City midfielder Rodri in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting and Real’s boycott of the event.

However, Real had the final laugh as the banner backfired, with Vinicius playing an outstanding game as the Spaniards came from behind twice to win 3-2.

Vinicius told Movistar: “I saw it, I saw the banner. Whenever the opposing fans do things like that they give me more strength to have a great game and here I have done it.”

The banner displayed a huge picture of Rodri kissing his trophy alongside the message ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ – a song title by City-supporting band Oasis.

City manager Pep Guardiola denied seeing the sign and expressed frustration with his team’s recent struggles to maintain a lead.

Erling Haaland twice gave the hosts the lead, but Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City youngster Brahim Diaz equalised before Jude Bellingham scored in stoppage time.

Real will now be heavy favourites to progress to the last 16 when the sides meet at the Bernabeu Stadium for the return clash next week.

Guardiola said: “After (it went) 2-1 what happened was a resume a little bit of this season. In so many games it has happened – against Feyenoord, against Sporting Lisbon, against Brentford in Premier League and Man Utd.

“Many games we have given away at the end. Unfortunately it has happened many times and at this level (that makes it) so difficult.”

After sweeping all before them in recent years, this season has been a major disappointment for City, and Guardiola confesses he is currently unable to recapture the intensity that once made them threatening.

He said: “We have been an extraordinary team, an incredible machine every three days in these years.

“But if the opponent is better the opponent is better and at the moment I’m not able to give the composure to the team, to manage this kind of situation.

“I don’t have a problem to accept that it doesn’t work like it worked in the past and it’s down to all of us – me first and the players as well.”

Despite the defeat, Guardiola is not writing off the tie.

“We’ll try,” he said. “You have to continue. We’ll learn and, with fresh minds, fresh legs, go for them.”