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The anticipated clash between Europe’s reigning champions and its eternal champions didn’t disappoint.

Manchester City and Real Madrid exchanged sensational goals in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal, going blow-for-blow in an instant classic that was befitting a tournament final.

Federico Valverde landed the final punch in Tuesday’s slugfest at the Santiago Bernabeu. The versatile star responded to brilliant efforts from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol with a textbook volley in the 79th minute to ensure the tie will head to Manchester for next week’s second leg level at three apiece.

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The pulsating affair started with Bernardo Silva catching Andriy Lunin unaware and scoring a long-range free-kick in just the second minute, only for Madrid to answer shortly after with two goals of their own in a manic two-minute spell.

The action didn’t slow down after the break, with the two sides trading brilliant tallies and setting up what promises to be a thrilling second leg.

“I think it was a really good, entertaining game, (it) dignified this competition,” Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said after the match.

His counterpart echoed that sentiment.

“I said yesterday, with all the quality we see on the pitch, of course it will be a fantastic game,” said Carlo Ancelotti. “A lot of quality, two fantastic teams, I think the result was right, correct.”

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Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller will miss Tuesday’s home Champions League quarter final clash with Atletico Madrid, while winger Jadon Sancho is set to return, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic said Monday.

Dortmund trail 2-1 after the first leg in Madrid, with Haller scoring a goal late to bring the visitors back into the tie.

Haller was subbed off after just 10 minutes in Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, the Ivory Coast striker’s first league start since September.

Terzic said Haller “needs to rest for a week to get a clearer diagnosis but we assume he’ll definitely be unavailable for two to three weeks.”

The injury continues Haller’s health struggles at Dortmund. The striker missed six months with testicular cancer after signing with the club in the summer of 2022.

This season, he missed several matches with an ankle injury after returning from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.

Dortmund were however given a boost with the news that England winger Sancho, who missed Saturday’s win over Gladbach completely, will return.

“Jadon is fit again. He immediately felt better on Sunday and could train yesterday. He’s back in the squad.”

Terzic would not reveal whether Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug or teenager Youssoufa Moukoko would replace Haller up front.

“We’ve got two training sessions and a bit of time to go. We had three players in that position and now we have two.

“In the past we’ve played well with Fullkrug up front, in the past we’ve played well with Moukoko up front – and we’ve done well with both on the field.”

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Bayern Munich and France winger Kingsley Coman is set to miss “several weeks”, including Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal after injuring a leg in a 2-0 win over Cologne, the club announced on Saturday.

Coman was helped off the pitch early in the second half on Saturday, needing the assistance of two Bayern staff members as he could not put weight on his leg.

“Kingsley Coman will be out of action for several weeks after the forward suffered an injury in his right adductor muscle,” Bayern said in a statement, explaining “this was confirmed by an examination from the club’s medical department.”

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said Coman would definitely miss Wednesday’s second leg at home to Arsenal. The forward’s participation at Euro 2024 is also at risk.

The first leg of Bayern’s European tie in London ended 2-2 on Tuesday.

“It’s a big downer which overshadows the victory a little,” Tuchel said at the post-match press conference.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said Coman “still needs to do some tests but it doesn’t look good.”

“We hope it won’t be counted in months. We’ll see what the test says but we’ll expect him not to be available for several weeks.”

Tuchel said his side needed to “throw everything into it” against Arsenal on Wednesday, telling reporters “let’s hope the home advantage is the decisive advantage.”

Coman had only recently returned from a torn knee ligament that kept him out from January to March.

Euro 2024, to be hosted in Germany, starts on June 14.

MONCHENGLADBACH, Germany (AP) — Ivory Coast hero Sebastien Haller’s first start for Borussia Dortmund since winning the Africa Cup of Nations lasted just eight minutes.

Haller had to go off early in Dortmund’s Bundesliga match at Borussia Monchengladbach after twisting his left leg in a tackle with an opponent.

Haller had made only substitute appearances for Dortmund since returning from the Africa Cup with an ankle injury, and he scored a late goal to keep Dortmund’s Champions League hopes alive in a 2-1 loss at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their quarterfinal on Wednesday.

But his ill luck with injuries struck again Saturday when he was tackled in the second minute by Gladbach defender Nico Elvedi. Haller received treatment on the field before making way for Youssoufa Moukoko.

The extent of Haller’s injury wasn’t immediately known. The forward spoke with Dortmund coach Edin Terzic before making his way to the dressing room.

Haller scored late to lead host nation Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final in February.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer