Atlético Madrid had everything to do at home. With no shots on target in the first leg, Manchester City retained the advantage. Diego Simeone knew he had to be more adventurous to survive a tie.
It was the beginning of the game. The highlight of the action in the first 20 minutes was that Philip was well ahead of Phil Foden. It required dressing the head of the Englishman with the big gun somehow to escape caution.
We get to the first 15 minutes. Come to Atleti! 👊 pic.twitter.com/l6PMJ96KIW
– Atletico Madrid (@atletienglish) April 13, 2022
As usual, City dominated possession and the front foot. A dangerous cross pass from Kyle Walker was found on Foden who passed to Ilkay Gundogan inside the penalty area. His shot hit the post with a dead end. Kevin De Bruyne was shooting the ball but Reinildo denied it. Atlético was pushing forward with bodies but the goal remained elusive. Indeed, City looked more likely to score again by the end of the first half.
The second half is underway in Wanda!#city of Manchester │ #UCL pic.twitter.com/yBICyEkOEA
– Manchester City US (ManCityUS) April 13, 2022
The second half was the start of Atletico. Joao Felix curled a header before Antoine Griezmann fired a long shot. And City caused Kyle Walker to be out of injury. Atletico were crowding into the visitors’ penalty area in search of an equaliser. However, it had yet to come as Simeone brought all the offensive weapons. Matisse hit it being a powerful shot that was saved by John Stones as he entered the match in the last minutes.
What a block of stones 😱 pic.twitter.com/eGi88XIi6s
– ESPN FC (ESPNFC) April 13, 2022
It all started in injury time. Felipe was expelled from Foden, causing a great quarrel. Stefan Savic and Nathan Ake were booked on their side while Felipe was fired. Ederson hit a direct free kick as Atlético de Madrid sought it. Foden was doing his own kind of villainy. It was Angel Correa’s last chance that Ederson parried his low shot while the defense was clearly defending. This was all from the match where Atletico were knocked out.
Here are the three main points from the match:
Atletico attack, but to no avail
It has been a very variable performance from Los Rojiblancos As expected. They knew they had to score and playing on the pitch suggested that well. The first half started slowly but the second half was all for Atlético. Rodrigo de Paul, Angel Correa, Thomas Lemar and Felix had chances. They would fly forward under the wings at every opportunity, looking to switch play and shoot. The defense held firm and did not allow City to escape in the second half. Even though Simeone used all his offensive options, that wasn’t the case. Atletico was doomed from the first half and could not recover.
City have a strong contract to qualify
It was complete hell for Guardiola and his co-workers in the second half. They were struggling to fit in, had absolutely no possession and almost gave up. The first half was better, and Gundogan was closer to scoring. However, it was their defense that really came out during this night, coming to the rescue time and time again. Stones, Ederson, Laporte, Cancelo, and Walker were all great when ordered.
9- @Manchester CityPep Guardiola arrives for his ninth player @Champions League The semi-finals, more than any coach in the history of the competition (four with Barcelona, three with Bayern Munich, two with City). unique. pic.twitter.com/wrrqhd71Qc
– OptaJoe (OptaJoe) April 13, 2022
The introduction of Guardiola with Fernandinho was another masterpiece as it helped to slow down the match and provide another defensive presence. The dismissal in the final minutes helped their cause but City will breathe a sigh of relief.
Guardiola against Real Madrid again
The semi-final match will be one to savor. Guardiola has an excellent record against Real Madrid since his Barcelona days. He will be looking to get one on his old opponent again.
