Two of Birmingham's finest went head-to-head in the Champions League on Tuesday night - Jack Grealish for Manchester City and Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid. It was a night of contrasting emotions for the ex-Aston Villa and Birmingham City stars.

Grealish, handed a rare start by Pep Guardiola, made good of this show of faith with a pivotal part to play in Erling Haaland's opener at the Etihad Stadium play-off first leg. Both teams of course did not experience the same luxury Villa did, reaching the knockout stages automatically.

However, Grealish's night would come to a premature end only half an hour into proceedings. Pulling up with a muscle injury, the 29-year-old had to exit the Champions League battle in frustration.

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"Hopefully the injury isn't too bad and thank you for the support last night. Still all play for next week," he commented on Instagram after the match. The winger, who has one goal in all competitions this season, knows he cannot afford many more setbacks amid the ongoing struggle to find form that has prompted Man City exit speculation - and even talk of a return to Villa Park.

From the point of Grealish's injury onwards, it went gradually downhill for the 2023 European champions City against the current holders. Haaland struck from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 after Kylian Mbappe's goal.

But late Real goals came via Brahim Diaz and Bellingham. The 21-year-old Blues academy graduate hasn't found goals as free-flowing this campaign compared to his debut season in the Spanish capital but his late winner on Tuesday was a significant one.

Bellingham's Instagram post showed off his celebratory mood through the picture of choice, though his message echoed that of Grealish knowing that only a one-goal advantage for the second leg is not enough to get carried away with just yet.

"Far from over. See you at home," he put simply.