Manchester City has advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Real Madrid, following a thrilling battle against Atletico Madrid. Despite the scoreline, City drew 0-0 with the Spanish Champions, advancing 1-0 on aggregate.
Just like Pep Guardiola had predicted, it was a tight start, as Diego Simeone’s passionate Atletico pressed hard from the opening whistle, fueled by the noise of the Estadio Metropolitano. It was City who dominated the first half and also created chances. John Stones had headed over and a Kevin De Bruyne shot was stopped by Reinaldo Mandava and kay Gundogan’s close-range effort deflected off the post on the half-hour.
Still trailing by one goal, Atlético Madrid came out firing in the second half, with Joao Felix just missing a chance to connect with Renan Lodi’s tempting cross and Antoine Griezmann shooting wide from the edge of the box. As Atletico upped the tempo, City dug deep as the final whistle loomed, creating two good chances for replacement Rodrigo De Paul but couldn’t convert those chances.
Simeone’s team went all-in, and in a tense finish, in the late second-half Stones stopped Matheus Cunha’s shot and Ederson saved Angel Correa’s effort to ensure City’s second consecutive semi-final appearance.
Things got ugly late in the second half as Felipe’s foul on Phil Foden caused a big melee on both sides, sets of substitutes and members of the staff got involved. Despite attempting to drag Foden back onto the pitch, headbutting Raheem Sterling, and grabbing at substitute Jack Grealish’s hair, Atletico’s Stefan Savic managed to escape with only a booking.
The former City player Savic then clashed again with Grealish in the tunnel as the players were separated on their way back to the locker rooms.
