Following a dramatic Champions League quarterfinal match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne was heard requesting Luka Modric’s shirt.

Before kickoff, it was supposed to be a fun event, but few could have foreseen the drama that took place inside the renovated Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

Within two minutes, Bernardo Silva gave the visitors the lead following some careless goalkeeping by Andriy Lunin.

After Ruben Dias’ own goal, Los Blancos quickly responded, and with 14 minutes remaining, Brazilian attacker Rodrygo made it 2-1.

When Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol restored City’s lead with two long-range goals in the second half, the tension in Madrid increased even further.

However, Federico Valverde, an international for Uruguay, scored a goal that could be the Champions League goal of the season with ten minutes left in regular time, giving the home team a chance to win the second leg.

Kevin De Bruyne approached Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, who is expected to depart Los Blancos at the end of the season, after the final whistle on Tuesday night.

As the two made small talk, the Belgian could be heard asking for Modric’s shirt.

De Bruyne was an unexpected absence from Manchester City’s starting lineup for the first leg of the quarterfinal match. He didn’t even play during the entire game because he missed the team’s warm-up.

For what reason did Pep Guardiola bench the highly effective midfield player before kickoff?

He said in an interview with TNT Sports: “Vomit. He is feeling under the weather.”

Guardiola responded, “I don’t know,” when asked if he could play. We scheduled a meeting, and although he was prepared, he began to throw up and felt sick as soon as we entered the locker room, declaring, “I’m not ready.”

“Of course, it’s not good news, but it is what it is – another player is going to play and they are ready to play 90 minutes and everyone is going to help.”

In his post-match interview, Guardiola would later single out one of City’s goal scorers.

He said to TNT Sports, “We really showed our personality in terms of how we play in the second half.” Recovering from a 2-1 loss in Manchester would have been challenging. Rather, we managed to score two excellent goals; yet, fifteen minutes of defense in this stadium seems endless. We’ll take it 3-3.

“I instructed the players to attack outside and to be more composed. “Guys, it’s 45 minutes after 90 minutes,” I say at this point. There’s going to be a lot of football played.

“That [Josko] Gvardiol is here with us today is a blessing. In his playing, he was great. We are delighted to have him, as he is a very nice guy.