- Written by Phil McNulty
- Chief Football Writer at Etihad Stadium
image source, Getty Images
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti casually walked away from the scene of the carnage as Manchester City's Treble dreams were dashed by the great survivors of the Champions League.
Ancelotti has seen most things in the world of football, including plenty of success as the only man to win this tournament four times, but even the game's most famous eyebrow-raiser was in this quarter-final. The way the finals went, a victory that must have stuck a little higher in the air than usual.
After a 4-4, 1-1 aggregate draw on the night, Real won the shootout 4-3, leaving City to wonder long and hard why they failed to win a game they almost completely dominated. right.
City have suffered in the Champions League before and the loss of this exciting and fascinating game will surely leave a scar.
Pep Guardiola's immediate task now is to ensure that the fatigue and disappointment left behind does not spill over into the competition, where they are currently chasing a double domestic title in the Premier League and FA Cup, the latter of which will see them face Chelsea in the semi-finals. is. at Wembley on Saturday.
In the finale, the great Italian statesman Ancelotti extended a comforting hand to Guardiola, giving the impression that this was just another day in the Oval Office, but this was a frenzied and It is not an accurate reflection of the chaotic talks.
City's players collapse in despair after Antonio Rudiger's penalty seals their place in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich, while dozens of Real players and people believed to be connected to the Etihad Stadium are surrounded by supporters standing in a corner of the Etihad Stadium. I headed to
City beat Real 4-0 here in the second leg of last season's semi-final, taking revenge on Ancelotti's side who managed to escape defeat with two goals in stoppage time and winning at the Bernabéu at the same stage last season. Ta.
In that attack last season, City had 16 shots to Real's seven, here they had 33 shots to the visitors' eight, but this time they were on the back foot. It was done.
As always at this level, the game was all about the details and City's lack of cutting edge stood between them and the balance of play that they deserved.
Ederson had an early advantage in the penalty shootout when he saved from Luka Modric, but when he lazily took a half-hearted spot-kick and sent it straight into the hands of keeper Andriy Lunin. Only Bernardo Silva will know what he was thinking.
If you give Real an inch, they take a mile away. Mateo Kovacic's penalty was once again saved by the excellent Lunin, further sealing Real's fate.
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The laws of the Champions League dictate that if you don't kill Real when you have the chance, you will pay the price every chance you get. And City have broken that golden rule twice.
It would be harsh to criticize the performance of the Premier League champions. He put in an outstanding performance for a long period, with a sustained onslaught in the second half that forced Real into a corner, but ultimately Kevin De Bruyne's equalizer in the 76th minute canceled out Rodrygo's early effort.
Real were literally stalemate on many occasions until celebration came in the form of the final whistle and a penalty.
And this will be frustrating for City and manager Guardiola. Guardiola thanked his players for their efforts but admitted he had to wait to see how they were after a tough night on all levels.
City's players have shown resilience and staying power in the past, but the way they left and the loss of the huge trophy they won for the first time last season against Inter Milan in Istanbul will be a bitter pill to swallow. right.
It would have been a huge mental and physical strain, and Manager Guardiola acknowledged De Bruyne and told Erling Haaland that he could not continue, and the striker was replaced by Julian Alvarez at the end of the 90th minute, leaving Belgium to take a break. The player was sent off in extra time.
Haaland had another tough night, kept at arm's length by Real's seasoned defence, apart from when he hit the bar with an early header. There is no lack of effort from the Norwegian, but as things stand he is not getting enough of the chances he is used to.
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It all came in stark contrast to another landmark night in the young career of Real and England's golden boy Jude Bellingham.
It was a testing night for the 20-year-old, who has taken Spain by storm this season. They suffered as much as their teammates and City ran them down and ran them ragged, especially in the second half.
During this stress, Bellingham twice proved exactly why he is valued for greatness, even though he was never allowed to look his best.
Bellingham showed great technique drawing a pass through the air in the build-up to Rodrygo's goal, coming forward to a cacophony of jeers from the City fans and converting Real's second penalty following Modric's miss. I calmly decided.
It came after Silva fumbled under pressure, and momentum in the penalty shootout shifted back in Real's favor.
Few would bet on Real continuing to win as usual, taking their 15th victory in this competition, which takes on different guises as the European Cup and the Champions League, and handing Ancelotti his fifth victory.
This will be a huge blow for City, but they must bounce back quickly. There's still a lot to play for.
