This morning, Manchester and all of England woke up with a woozy head, because since last night, no British club is among the contenders for final victory in the Champions League. Besides Arsenal who fell to their bete noire, Bayern Munich, Manchester City did not do better against Real. And with a successful defensive game full of courage, the teammates of Kevin de Bruyne and Jérémy Doku were unable to unlock the Merengue lock.
For the French daily the Team, this return leg had nothing to do with the first leg, 8 days ago: “Far from the disheveled first leg (3-3), this return match was the scene of better control of the two teams, each in their own style”. The sports newspaper also recalls that it had been six years and a defeat against Olympique Lyonnais that Manchester City had not lost at home in the Champions League. “Guardiola’s bunker is no more”.
In England, the Guardian implies the feat achieved by Real: “Madrid had been up to the task in the first half, so polite with the ball and they had come to believe that they were destined to win at the Etihad Stadium, which if few teams have done in recent seasons”.
Inevitably, it is in Spain that we find the most dissension, between a hungover Madrid press and the Catalan press who cannot believe it. “Long live the King” headlines Marca, while Mundo Deportivo speaks of an “incredible” match, while displaying a photo of Guardiola on the ground.
The links between Marca and the Sports World ©Marca
De Bruyne as an “emerging hero”
As all too often when City find themselves in an uncomfortable position, Kevin de Bruyne finds the solution. THE Guardian recalls him in his analysis of the meeting: “Their emerging hero – as so often – is called Kevin De Bruyne. The City playmaker always seems to score against Madrid and his goal here followed a surge and a cross from substitute Jérémy Doku, which made a real difference.”
Still on the English side, Kev’ receives the best rating in the columns of Daily Mail. With 7.5, he is on the verge of being man of the match but Lunin’s penalty session made the difference. “Such a boost to have him back for the second leg. He forced a good save from Lunin in the first half. Scored the equalizer but missed the target when he could have doubled his tally before extra time.”
2024-04-18 07:25:00
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