Real Madrid was knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals after losing to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The English side dominated from the start and created two clear chances with Haaland and Courtois taking centre stage. In the first, Grealish crossed in the 13th minute and the Norwegian's header in the six-yard box was denied by a great reflex save from our goalkeeper. Eight minutes later, Akanji floated a corner to the far post and Haaland's header was again met by an inspired Courtois.
The Madrid goalkeeper was on incredible form, but could do nothing after a team move finished by Bernardo Silva to make it 1-0 in the 23rd minute. Ancelotti's side reacted and could have equalised in the 35th minute with a powerful long-range shot from Kroos that crashed against the crossbar. Two minutes later, Bernardo Silva scored again, this time with a header after Courtois had parried Gündoğan's shot. It was 2-0 at the break and everything got complicated.
However, after the restart the European champions could have reduced the deficit with a long-range free-kick from Alaba. Ederson turned the ball wide for a corner in the 50th minute. Midway through the second period, Ancelotti decided to reshuffle his pack, bringing on Rudiger for Modric in a change which saw Alaba slide over to left back and Camavinga move into midfield. This appeared to help Los Blancos get a foothold in the game, but City continued to look dangerous, with De Bruyne and Haaland eager to break quickly.
The minutes ticked by and with 73 on the clock, Courtois came out on top against Haaland in a one-on-one, sticking a leg out to turn the striker’s shot onto the crossbar and over. Three minutes later, a cruel stroke of luck would go against our team as De Bruyne whipped in a free-kick and the ball struck Militão and ended up nestling in the back of the net. Our team had a chance to get on the scoresheet with 83 minutes gone but Ceballos’ effort from inside the box was kept out by Ederson, then, in injury time, Julián Álvarez made it four for the hosts, who will meet Inter in the final in Istanbul.
After the game Ancelotti spoke for the press and assessed the deafeat. The Real Madrid coach reflected: "We played against opposition who deserved to win tonight because they played with more intensity and real quality in the first half. They really paved the way to the final there. They were better than us today, like we were last season. That can happen in a Champions League semi-final”.
He added: "We didn’t manage to implement what we’d planned. It doesn’t have to be a drama. We have lost a game against superior opposition on the night. We can’t think the attitude wasn’t right for a Champions League semi-final. It’s just a step which means we have to try and be better next year”.
The squad: "This squad did very well last year and this year. They beat City last year in the semi-final and we won the Champions League, but today we didn't have it in us to play in another final. I'm convinced that this squad will do better next season and we're already focused on the next edition of the Champions League, where we want to be top-billing again”.
Assessment of the season: "It's been a good season. There are four games to go and we have to give it our best shot. Hopefully we can finish well. Reaching a Champions League semi-final is a success because only four teams can reach it. Losing a sem-final can happen”.
His continuity: "The club president was quite clear 15 days ago. So nobody has any doubt. What the president tells me privately I'm not going to say here”.
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