Manchester City vs. Real Madrid Champions League: This was an incredibly thrilling match where City dominated. City vs. Real Madrid Champions League: The return leg of the Champions League quarterfinal was as exciting as it could get, even though the previous match was packed with goals, ending 3-3 with City benefiting.
In short
Action at Etihad Stadium
The second leg was played at their home ground, the Etihad Stadium. It was a showdown between Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, two of Europe’s most successful managers, and a defeat for one was certain. And it wasn’t anyone else but Pep Guardiola.
The most heartbreaking thing for City fans was that despite their dominance in the match, they couldn’t capitalize on their scoring ability.
Real Madrid’s early Goal
The match started on equal footing, and both sides tried to make space for their forwards, but with little success. However, it was Madrid who succeeded in getting the first shot on goal with Eduardo Camavinga, but Ederson easily stopped it. That was in the 11th minute. Difficult a minute later – Goal! Real Madrid easily took the lead as Rodrigo put the ball into the net! It silenced the Etihad! Real led City 4-3 overall.
While Rodrigo might have been the one to score, it was Vinicius Junior who had worked hard to infiltrate City’s box and set up the ball for Rodrigo.
Madrid’s incredible defense
The Brazilian forward was initially thwarted by Ederson with a splendid save, but the rebound was easily converted. Now, City had no choice but to attack. And they did, but couldn’t find the back of the net, while Real Madrid’s defense did an excellent job marking all of City’s dangerous players.
The best chance came when Haaland managed to hit the bar with a header, but luck wasn’t on his side before the goal.
City was relentless in their attacking play, leaving gaps at the back which Vinicius exploited with his exceptional pace, providing Dani Carvajal with another goal, and a wild slide tackle from a City defender in the 19th minute to deny it.
City’s possession
Until the 40th minute, City had control over the match, but they were trailing. City had 61-39 ball possession and took 10 shots on goal while Madrid only had five.
It was also evident that Real Madrid was wasting time to relieve pressure from their defense. Half time score – Real Madrid 4 – City 3 (Aggregate).
With the end of the first half came the beginning of the second – City tried to break through Madrid’s defense but without success. From Jack Grealish to Foden and Haaland, they threw everything into the attack, but the final pass was always beyond their reach.
One statistic indicating City’s dominance was that they won 13 corner kicks while Madrid didn’t win any.
City’s goal
It was time for Guardiola to make a change. He chose to substitute Grealish in the 73rd minute, even though the player was proving effective, and brought in Jeremy Doku.
And a goal!
Three difficult minutes later, Kevin De Bruyne, who had been surprisingly quiet, leveled the score. City was back in it – they were playing at home, remember?
A cross from the left by Antonio Rudiger wasn’t cleared properly, and the ball fell to De Bruyne, who fired it home from just 7 yards out.
De Bruyne misses
And just two minutes later, De Bruyne had the best chance to put City ahead, but he squandered it. He got the chance to shoot from just outside the box, but an excellent save from Andriy Lunin denied him.
Now, it was time for Ancelotti to make changes, and he brought in Toni Kroos for the old warhorse Luka Modric.
However, almost immediately after, De Bruyne had another chance to score. Played through by the relentless Doku, from the left side of the box, an unmarked De Bruyne fired on target. It was a fantastic sight at the Etihad as everyone held their breath and erupted in cheers!
Had he kicked the trophy away? That question was on every fan’s mind. No help came to resolve the deadlock in extra time, and it ended 4-4 overall. Extra Time The biggest turning point of the extra time period was Guardiola substituting Haaland for Julian Alvarez! And it was a surprisingly tough decision, but considering the one chance he had ended up in a bar post, it was a calculated decision. Alvarez brought new energy and extensive skills to City’s game.
Madrid’s defense was being put under tremendous pressure by Doku, and once again, City found themselves inches away from scoring from the left side of the box. However, no one could get the final touch.
Penalty shootout(watch)
⚽🧤 ¿Cómo parar un penalti?
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 18, 2024
😉 ¡Pregúntale a @AndreyLunin13!#UCL pic.twitter.com/wYpQWi7eWU
These were all chances that, if missed, would eventually haunt City.
In the end, the tie was decided by penalties, and Real Madrid kept their composure to win it and knock out the defending champions from the tournament, ending City’s triple bid.
And thus, the punishment came to an end.
Manchester City: 1 (X X 1 1)
Real Madrid: (X 1 1 1 1)
Penalty Score: City 3, Madrid 4
The match ended 1-1 on aggregate by the end of the designated time.
