Why rough treatment by Real Madrid is a feather in Jack Grealish’s cap

The theory goes that Grealish had a bad game, that he contributed to City’s downfall because he did not convert two late chances just before Real Madrid scored the three late goals to send Pep Guardiola’s team out of the competition in the most dramatic fashion.

That take is not shared by Guardiola and his staff, who were hugely encouraged by the display. Shortly after replacing Gabriel Jesus in the 78th minute, Grealish beat Eder Militao and sent a fine shot towards goal that would have gone in had Eduardo Camavinga not cleared off the line.

The second chance came shortly after, when Grealish again tricked his way into the box from the left wing and shot towards goal. The ball would have nestled into the far corner had Thibaut Courtois not stuck out his left boot to divert it wide.

Carlo Ancelotti and his staff were clearly impressed too, judging by how they tried to deal with Grealish for the latest meeting between the two sides this week. As soon as Grealish got the ball, he found himself in the company of at least one white shirt.

“I felt like whenever I got the ball, they doubled up a fair bit on me, whether it was [Federico] Valverde coming across to help [Dani Carvajal] or Rodrygo coming back to help,” Grealish, 27, said.

Real had another method for trying to keep Grealish quiet and it was a pretty basic one. They kicked him, again and again. Inside the first 30 minutes, Carvajal, the combative Real right back, fouled Grealish three times.

Heaven knows why Artur Dias, the referee, did not caution Carvajal for any of the challenges, and it was even more surprising that the Portuguese official did not issue at least a yellow card for an incident just before half-time. With the ball rolling out of play, Carvajal barged Grealish over with his shoulder, sending the City playmaker into the advertising hoardings at some pace.

Grealish probably did not feel like it at the time, but he should take his rough treatment as a feather in his cap. It showed that Real thought the only way they could handle him was by doubling up on him or fouling him.

Real’s attempt to control Grealish did not work. He created six chances, more than any other player on the pitch.

Last season, Guardiola and his staff would not say a bad word about Grealish even though his detractors were questioning the wisdom of signing him for £100 million from Aston Villa. As far as they were concerned, he was doing a good job in one of the key areas of the game - keeping possession.

This season, Grealish has continued to excel in that department, but he has added more of an attacking threat to his game too. He always had that in his locker, of course - he scored seven goals and set up another 12 for Villa the year before he joined City - but Guardiola wanted him to play in a different way in a different area of the pitch, on the left wing.

Grealish has a better understanding this season about when to take on his full back and when to turn back inside and play a simple pass.

His confidence levels are higher than they have ever been since he moved to City.

An example of this came in the 16th minute on Tuesday when he collected the ball on the left wing and immediately bounced towards Carvajal. Perfectly balanced, Grealish dropped one shoulder and then the other, leaving Carvajal’s head spinning before he lifted the ball to the back post, where Erling Haaland tested Courtois.

Grealish and his team-mates are convinced that they are destined to win the Champions League this season.

“We want to win it,” Grealish said. “It’s something we haven’t got yet. We’re not just playing for the Champions League this year, we’re playing for the FA Cup and the league title as well. We’re a very confident side at the moment.”

Grealish’s improvement, as well as Phil Foden’s decline in form and injury struggles, mean that he is now viewed as an essential part of Guardiola’s team, rather than an impact substitute.

Last season, Grealish started 31 games, five fewer than Foden. This term, Grealish has been named in the starting XI 38 times, 13 more than Foden. He is one goal shy of equalling his total of six from last season but, crucially, he has set up 11 goals, which is seven more than last term.

Grealish spent much of last season being criticised, so he is enjoying proving his doubters wrong. In one of several refreshingly honest and open recent interviews, Grealish spoke with childlike enthusiasm about the fact that he is playing in such big matches.

“I feel unstoppable at the moment,” Grealish said at the side of the Bernabeu pitch on Tuesday night, breaking off momentarily to drink in the adulation from the City fans who were chanting his name from upon high in the stadium. “You’re looking around, playing with these guys that are unbelievable and the fans are brilliant, every home and away game.

“I’m sure we’ll need them at Goodison Park [against Everton on Sunday] and, of course, the Etihad next Wednesday, which we’re all buzzing for it already.”

- The Times

Originally published as Why rough treatment by Real Madrid is a feather in Jack Grealish’s cap