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April 18 – Holders Manchester City have been dumped out of the Champions League in the quarter finals, sending Real Madrid through to meet Bayern Munich in the last four after a nerve-shredding evening that ended in a penalty shootout.
Real Madrid fought for a hard-earned victory in a game in which Carlo Ancelotti’s side rarely saw the ball. Brazilian starlet Rodrygo drew first blood in the 12th minute with a goal from close range – a goal that Madrid would fight to protect for the majority of the game.
With City implementing Pep Guardiola’s possession-dominant style to full effect the game was completely in their control, but the title holders struggled to apply the finishing touch to beat a packed Madrid defence.
Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne levelled the score for the hosts in the 76th minute after a mistake from Toni Rudiger, but missed a simple opportunity minutes later that would have sealed the Blues’ place in the last four.
Heading into extra time, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland was called to the bench despite his side chasing a richly-deserved but elusive goal.
Madrid won the tie by way of penalties, with Toni Rudiger making up for his error with a perfect deciding penalty which arrowed into the bottom left.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who began the season as third choice, was crowned man of the match thanks to eight crucial saves, and a further two to decide the penalty shootout.
Guardiola said: “I would have preferred to win, but congratulations to Real Madrid, they defended so deep with incredible solidarity, and we did everything.
“I don’t have any regrets about what we have done. Always we try to create more chances and concede less, because we believe that helps you to win and we did everything.
“We played exceptionally in all departments, and unfortunately, we could not win.”
Carlo Ancelotti admitted the strength of City had forced them to soak up pressure and look to take the tie to penalties.
The…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/04/18/ucl-real-madrid-dig-deep-beat-man-city-penalties-bayern-shoot-gunners-ambition/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-04-18 13:45:17
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