Achi news desk-
With tons of goals – an average of 4.3 per game – and iconic subplots, it has been an opportunity to showcase some of the best talents in modern football, on the pitch and on the sidelines. Carlo Ancelotti, the man with the magic touch, had announced a highly entertaining game ahead of Wednesday, but what followed was a tactical battle on their part where they continued to pile on the pressure over 120 minutes to have a chance in the shoot-out. . ”This was about survival. Madrid is a club based on always fighting to stay in situations where there seems to be no way out – but we always find a way,” the Italian said later.
Back to the old versus new story. If Real had been Europe’s traditional powerhouses, the funds-flushing City are modern behemoths, whose spending power has often invited the scanner of UEFA’s financial fair play rules. There’s also the history and ownership background that differentiates the two – while Real were associated with the Spanish monarchy in the early 20th century, a nation-state team, City are typecast as an outfit that benefits of the so-called oil money. In a more or less closed soccer ecosystem at top club level, it is unique among the more traditional competitions in soccer.
This round then belonged to Real, but City now have a Premier League title to win and an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday. Injuries and fatigue will be the main concern for Pep Guardiola, who saw Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne limp with fitness concerns that could leave City vulnerable against Mauricio Pochettino’s side and lead to another exit from the tournament within a week.
Even if they lose at Wembley, nothing will sting as much as their failure in the Champions League. However, next time will be around the corner soon enough!
