Manchester City’s treble dream ended by Madrid

Record winners of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid, moved to the semi-final of the competition thanks to a penalty shootout win over defending champions Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men drew 3-3 in the first leg and could have completed the fixture and moved through in the regular 90 minutes had they maintained Rodrygo’s 15th-minute strike. While Los Blancos took the lead to the break, Manchester City’s humongous pressure paid off through Kevin De Bruyne with 15 minutes left.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side, who got to last season’s final by beating Real Madrid in the semi-final, couldn’t find the winner even in the extra 30 minutes as it headed into penalties and while Manchester City scored their first through Julian Alvarez, Real Madrid lost their first taken by Luka Modric.

Unfortunately, the English champions failed to find a way to take advantage as Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic lost their takes, with Jude Bellingham and Lucas taking the advantage back to Real Madrid’s favour.

Neither of the remaining takers from both sides missed their takes, but the damage had already been done on Manchester City, whose aim for a treble is reduced to a potential double with the UCL out of the equation.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side returns to the FA Cup this weekend in a semi-final clash against Chelsea, but Real Madrid can go back into La Liga with an eye on the semi-final clash with Bayern Munich in the UCL. The Germans beat Arsenal 1-0 on Wednesday but 3-2 on aggregate.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham expressed huge relief after a tough game against an intense opponent like Manchester City.

“It’s relief. You put so much into the game. I’ve played against City before and they snatch it away from you. I was pretty much dead on my feet at the end. It’s so difficult. They are continuously probing with the ball and move you around. Most teams would fall apart when City get on top of you but we stood up really well.” Bellingham said.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu