Manchester City's Crown of Despair

Real Madrid performed heroically to strip Manchester City of their title at the Etihad Stadium. City's crown gave way to despair.

AP PHOTO/DAVE THOMPSON

The expression of disappointment from Manchester City's midfielder Phil Foden after being knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, on Thursday (18/4/2024) early morning local time. City lost in a penalty shootout 3-4 after the match ended in a draw, 1-1.

MANCHESTER, THURSDAY — With three titles won last season, no one can deny that Manchester City is the king of European football. However, Real Madrid's mental toughness made the king replace his proud crown with despair. In the fierce drama of the quarter-finals European Champions League at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Thursday (18/4/2024) early morning WIB, Real knocked City out of power via a penalty shootout.

The enthusiasm of City supporters gradually subsided as Antonio Rudiger successfully executed the last penalty task of Real. As the Real players expressed their joy, City supporters were silent spectators as their team lost the title of defending Champions League champion in a match that, statistically, should have been won.

City had a good advantage after holding Real to a 3-3 draw in the first meeting at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. However, the advantage of being the host in the second meeting was not utilized by City, which was then held to a 1-1 draw by Real in normal time.

Even though the score was balanced, in reality throughout the match "The Citizens" appeared more dominant with 67 percent possession of the ball and the expected goal value (expected goal/xG) touched 2.73. This means that City should have scored three goals, but were only able to score one goal in 120 minutes.

Also read: Manchester City's “Storm” Wave at the Etihad

On the other hand, despite being under pressure for most of the match, Real's players showed their European mentality and DNA. The team coached by Coach Carlo Ancelotti even took the lead at the start of the first half through Rodrygo's flick. Rodrygo's goal triggered City to increase the intensity of their attacks.

AP PHOTO/DAVE SHOPLAND

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson failed to anticipate a penalty from Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger during the penalty shootout of the quarterfinal match of the Champions League, early Thursday morning (April 18, 2024) WIB. Rudiger's penalty became the deciding factor in Madrid's victory.

Real was able to handle City's game in the first half. Entering the second half, City exerted all their efforts to equalize the score. The situation became one-sided. City's players kept Real besieged in the defense area without giving them any chance to counterattack.

There were a total of 15 attempts by City, with five of them hitting the target in the second half. Nevertheless, City had to wait until the 76th minute to create an equalizing goal scored by Kevin De Bruyne.

Also read: The Ego of Two Kings Against Reason

"We suffered a lot tonight because City really put pressure on you. However, we are Real Madrid. We always, always fight until the end," said Real captain Nacho after the match, quoted from the UEFA website.

First team

This season, City has never been defeated at their home ground. Real became the first team to do so. All of that was achieved thanks to a heroic performance throughout the match. As Nacho stated, there was hardly any time for Real players to catch their breath from City's attacks.

The key to Real's success in dampening City's wave of attacks lies in the discipline of the players in defending. Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham, who operate in the attacking line, are diligent in helping the defense. They often drop deep into the third of Real's defense.

We have suffered greatly tonight because City really put you under pressure. However, we are Real Madrid. We always, always fight until the end.

The effort is aimed at ensuring that Real's defensive line does not lose in numbers to City, who apply a high defensive line. In defense, Real players also consistently form a 4-4-2 pattern and tighten the gap between lines to limit City players' passing options.

AFP/PAUL ELLIS

Manchester City players regret their failure to advance to the Champions League semi-finals after losing a penalty shootout 3-4 to Real Madrid on Thursday (18/4/2024) early morning local time.

A strong defense is a good start for launching an attack. Real took advantage of the counterattack situation to exploit City's high defense line. City's choice to apply a high defense line left a wide gap between the goalkeeper and defender. This space was used by Real to launch their attack.

Also read: Real Madrid's Double Spell

Rodrygo's goal was created from a situation like that, when City's defense had not yet been formed perfectly. Real's counter-attack was well-organized and planned. Rodrygo and Vinicius were assigned as the engine of the counter-attack. They also often exchanged positions to break free from City's tight marking.

"We held on very, very well tonight. This is about survival. Madrid is a club that always fights to survive in situations where it seems like there's no way out, but we always find a way," said Ancelotti.

After falling behind by one goal, City faced a deadlock. They did dominate the second half, but were unable to score an equalizer. City applied the same tactics as in the first meeting, which was to shoot from outside the penalty box. However, that effort was still thwarted by Real's defensive line.

City manager Pep Guardiola also brought in winger Jeremy Doku to replace Jack Grealish. Doku has better explosiveness than Grealish. Doku's maneuvers and stabs were needed to dismantle the solidity of Real's defense.

AP PHOTO/DAVE THOMPSON

Real Madrid players celebrate their success in reaching the Champions League semifinals after winning a penalty shootout against Manchester City on Thursday (18/4/2024) early morning WIB.

During Doku's maneuver, other City players attempted to take advantage of the loose ball. This effort paid off with a goal by De Bruyne. Doku's shot was blocked by Rudiger, but the Real players failed to clear the loose ball, allowing De Bruyne to equalize. The score remained 1-1 until extra time. The winner was then determined through a penalty shootout.

From the City side, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and Ederson successfully carried out their tasks. Only Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic's kicks were able to be blocked by Real's goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin. Silva's penalty miss was the most prominent as he directed the ball straight to the middle of the goal and was able to be predicted by Lunin.

"Before the penalty shoot-out, we prepared for what we believed the City players would do, and we knew that someone would try to deceive me. I decided to take the risk and, luckily, I chose the right player (Bernardo Silva) to take that risk by standing still (in the middle)," said Lunin.

On the other hand, the mentality of European Real was clearly evident when Luka Modric, the first kicker, failed, but the other four kickers did not follow suit immediately. Thanks to that mental toughness, Real ended City's journey in defending their title.

The failure of City also means that there is no representative from England in the Champions League semifinals. In another match, Arsenal's progress was also halted after losing 0-1 to Bayern Munich. Therefore, the four teams in the semifinals will be Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Real, and Munich. Real will face Munich in the semifinals.