Real Madrid once more pierced through Manchester City like a hot knife through butter as the Cityzens Champions League reign came to an agonizing end at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s side played more possessions and four times more shots than the Spanish side but lacked the cutting edge. Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic were the culprits as they were stopped by Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Andriy Lunin in the shootout after a 1-1 draw following 90 minutes plus extra time.
In a reversal of the first leg, City fell behind early on to a strike from Rodryro but City were better after the break. City’s mounting pressure on Real Madrid finally paid off when Kevin De Bruyne brought back joy to the English side with his fire branded shot into the net. He, however, missed a chance to settle the game before the 90 minutes ended.
Antonio Rudiger did the finishing act that ended City’s hopes of defending their treble. The German defender was at fault for Kevin De Brunye’s equalizer after playing his clearance straight to the Belgian’s feet. Erling Haaland had another anonymous outing and went missing when City needed him most.
Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Ederson, remarkably, did their part from the spot, but Bernardo and Kovacic failed when it mattered most. Lunin was the hero, making save after save to deny Manchester City. He finished the job by saving two of City’s kicks to enable Madrid back in the lead after Luka Modric flopped Madrid’s first kick.
In five seasons across two spells as Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti has reached the Champions League semi-finals in all five campaigns. He won the competition twice and has now reached 10 Champions League semi-finals as a manager.
