Everyone thought we were the last, but Real Madrid never dies.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said this after the final whistle at the Etihad. However, many people did not see Real’s potential before the start of the game. Not long ago, just 11 months ago, Manchester City’s ground at the Etihad was defeated by Real Madrid 4-0. CTO have not lost at home in the Champions League since 2018. What’s more, Real have never beaten City at the Etihad either. Real fans may not have seen much hope before last night’s match in these eye-popping statistics.
But in the Champions League, Real has not won the title 14 times! Romantic supporters of football say that the Madrid club has something to do with this competition, as if Real was born by winning this competition! And so many times in the Champions League, Real has won even from impossible equations or situations. Although the situation last night was not like that, the mentioned statistics were eye-catching.
But what happened after the last flute market? The match was a 1-1 draw until extra time. After defeating City 4-3 in the tiebreaker, Real reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. The first leg was a 3-3 draw. After the win, Ancelotti said, ‘Everyone thought we were the last, but Real Madrid never dies.
In the tiebreaker, Real goalkeeper Andre Lunin blocked the shots of Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silver of City. Before that, Rodrigo scored for Real in 12 minutes of the match. However, in the 76th minute, City equalized with the goal of Kevin De Bruyne. The hosts dominated the whole match. City took 33 shots with 68 percent possession. Something Ancelotti knew had to be faced. That’s probably why he was a little more defensive.
The Italian coach knew that
if he wanted to win the Etihad, he would have to keep his wall intact and take advantage of the opportunity. Rodrigo, Lunin or Rudiger, who took the winning shot in the tiebreaker, did just that.
After the win, Real coach Ancelotti told ‘Movistar’ that, ‘The only way to survive here (Etihad) is to take advantage of the opportunity. We did that then defended well. Against City there is no other way than this.
Ancelotti said, after making the match a tiebreaker, he understood that they will be the ones to reach the semi-finals. Perhaps this confidence was born from being able to hold off a formidable opponent like City to extra time. But the motivation at the root of everything — the Real coach first recalled, ‘I’ve seen Real Madrid do it (winning from an impossible position) many times. The reason for this seems to be the badge (of Real). It will bring out something in you that you didn’t even know you had! I knew in the tiebreaker that we were going (to the semifinals). Andrey Lunin played a great match.
Real defender Nacho expressed the feeling of losing City in their own field. That may be the mind of Real supporters. Nacho told Movistar, ‘These are magical nights, the nights I used to dream of as a child. The hair is standing up!