Madrid will have to come back if they want to reach the final. AFP
It won't be easy for Madrid to reach the Champions League final. Carlo Ancelotti's side will have to come back from 4-3 down in the first leg in Manchester. This challenge will be even more difficult if we take into account that the Spaniards have never made it through this round after losing the first leg.
Real Madrid made it out of the Etihad Stadium alive. Despite Pep Guardiola's blistering display, the 'Merengues' managed to reverse Manchester City's four goals. This was possible thanks to a brace from Karim Benzema and a goal from Vinicius.
This one-goal difference leaves everything open for the match at the Santiago Bernabeu. The fact that away goals no longer count as double could be decisive, as a win by one goal, whatever the result, would take the match into extra time.
However, the statistics are not in the Spaniards' favour. The reality is that they have never been able to come back from a Champions League tie at this point in the competition. In other words, losing the first leg means not playing in the final.
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach, was self-critical when he spoke to the microphones of 'Movistar Liga de Campeones'. The Italian believes that the 4-3 scoreline "is not a good result" and called for more concentration in defence from his team.
They came out alive in a match in which they were, at times, outplayed by their opponents. Another night in the history of Real Madrid in the Champions League. 'Los Blancos' lost 4-3 to Manchester City and everything will be settled at the Bernabeu next week.
Carlo Ancelotti, 'Los Blancos' coach, gave his view of the match and was self-critical of the image shown by his team, especially in defence.
"For us, we leave this first game with a result that is not good, because we have conceded four goals, we have not defended well, with the ball we have hurt them, what we have to do is defend better, it is a result that can change in the second leg, they are a very strong team, they have shown it tonight but we have competed. Defending better is the key to getting through to the final," he explained.
He went on to point out errors at the back: "You can't cover a position with four defenders, you have to help out with a midfielder, there have been losses of individual duels, two crosses, we have to be more attentive. With the ball we've had chances, we've struggled a bit at the start of the game. But we have to be confident.
Pep Guardiola said he had to reiterate to his players they had beaten Real Madrid 4-3 in a Champions League classic on Tuesday despite the disappointment of not killing off their semifinal tie at the Etihad.
Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were on target for Guardiola's men, who held a two-goal lead three times.
But Karim Benzema's double and a brilliant individual effort from Vinicius Junior gave Madrid hope of another famous Champions League fightback at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 4.
Guardiola lamented letting Liverpool escape "alive" in the Premier League title race after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad nine days ago and will have similar regrets after a blistering opening that could have seen City go 4-0 up inside half an hour.
Manchester City hopes to become champions of Europe for the first time as they take on Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Real Madrid has history on its side, but that doesn’t mean Manchester City won’t try to compete with it anyway. The Spanish side has won 13 Champions League titles, but City coach Pep Guardiola is here for the challenge.
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