Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti must have been amazed by the manner in which his team advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, leaving Manchester City’s Treble dream shattered. Despite City’s dominance throughout the game, Real Madrid emerged victorious on penalties after the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate and 1-1 on the night. The defeat will undoubtedly leave City questioning how they failed to secure a victory.
City has experienced heartbreak in the Champions League before, and manager Pep Guardiola must now ensure that the disappointment and fatigue from this loss do not affect their pursuit of a domestic double in the Premier League and FA Cup. City’s next challenge is a semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.
Ancelotti’s consoling arm around Guardiola at the end of the match gave the impression that this was just another day at the office for the Italian coach. However, the encounter was far from ordinary. City’s players were devastated as Antonio Rudiger’s penalty sent Real Madrid through to face Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
Last season, City famously thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-final second leg, seeking revenge for their defeat in the previous campaign. Despite having 33 shots compared to Real’s eight, City couldn’t replicate their previous success. The match ultimately came down to fine details, with City lacking the cutting edge required to secure victory.
City had an early advantage in the penalty shootout when Ederson saved Luka Modric’s penalty. However, Bernardo Silva’s lazy spot-kick played directly into the hands of Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Mateo Kovacic’s penalty, also saved by Lunin, further sealed City’s fate. The law of the Champions League states that if you don’t finish off Real Madrid when given the chance, you will pay the price – a rule City has now broken twice.
Despite City’s outstanding performance, particularly in the second half, Real Madrid managed to hold on until the final whistle and penalties. Guardiola thanked his players for their efforts but acknowledged that they would need to assess their condition after a grueling evening. The mental and physical toll of the match, which saw players like De Bruyne and Haaland unable to continue, will undoubtedly affect City’s morale.
In contrast to City’s disappointment, Jude Bellingham showcased his potential on another landmark night in his young career. Despite being stifled by City’s relentless pressure, Bellingham demonstrated his exceptional technique and composure by assisting Rodrygo’s goal and calmly converting Real Madrid’s second penalty. Real Madrid’s experience and Bellingham’s contributions shifted the momentum of the shootout in their favor.
Real Madrid’s success in the Champions League is a testament to their resilience and pedigree, and they remain a force to be reckoned with. Ancelotti has already won this tournament four times, and there are few who would bet against him securing a fifth triumph. As for City, this defeat will undoubtedly sting, but they must bounce back quickly as there is still much left to play for in the Premier League and FA Cup.