De Bruyne shines but Man City’s missed penalties by Silva and Kovacic cost them dearly

Redaction Simon Brett with Jason Pettigrove
Published on 2024-04-17 22:12:05

In a dramatic Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid, the current holders were knocked out after missing two crucial penalty kicks. The game was an evenly matched affair that saw Rodrygo scoring early for Real Madrid and Kevin De Bruyne equalizing for Manchester City late in the second half, leading to extra time and penalties. Despite a heroic save by goalkeeper Ederson and a strong defensive performance by Ruben Dias, poor penalties from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic caused Man City to crash out in front of their own fans.

Manchester City player ratings reflected a mix of solid performances and missed opportunities. Ederson and Kyle Walker had notable performances, while players like Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland struggled to make an impact. Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliant goal and overall performance were crucial for Manchester City, although Real Madrid ultimately came out on top. Substitutions like Jeremy Doku and Mateo Kovacic failed to make a significant impact on the game, with Kovacic missing a crucial penalty kick against his former club.

Overall, Manchester City’s exit from the Champions League was marked by missed chances and strong opposition from Real Madrid. Despite some standout performances, especially from Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City could not overcome the determined Real Madrid side. The disappointment of missing out on the chance to defend their title was evident in the missed penalties and lack of clinical finishing from key players.

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