Manchester City knocked out, substitutions criticized, Guardiola responds...

Ritu13

After the draw for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, all fans' attention focused on the intense showdown between the Galacticos of Real Madrid and the Sky Blues of Manchester City. This match not only pitted two football giants against each other but also represented a clash between the champions of the past two seasons, making it a highly anticipated encounter! In the first leg at the Bernabéu, both teams showcased a thrilling offensive display, ending in a 3-3 draw and leaving the second leg poised for excitement.

However, when the match moved to the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid adopted a completely different tactical approach. After Rodrygo put them ahead, they shifted to a defensive strategy, deploying a full-team bus-parking tactic. Eventually, they succeeded in taking the game to a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Lunin's heroic performance helped Real Madrid eliminate Manchester City with a 5-4 victory on penalties. After the game, Ancelotti became the subject of media and fan praise.

Importantly, Manchester City manager Guardiola's substitution decisions came under scrutiny from the public. What exactly happened? Let's see how Guardiola explains it! Despite Manchester City holding the advantage in the first leg, their most threatening player, De Bruyne, was substituted in extra time at 112 minutes. This led to questioning of Guardiola's decision, with many believing it was a self-inflicted setback. In response, Guardiola explained that De Bruyne, Haaland, and Aké all requested to be substituted, rather than it being his subjective decision.

There you have it! With this explanation, fans instantly perceived the gap between Manchester City and Real Madrid, which lies in differences in willpower and determination. In this game, Vinícius, as the spearhead of Real Madrid's attack, not only had to track back to his own half in defense but also rapidly surged to the front line during counterattacks. This high-intensity running and battling drained his energy, yet it didn't prompt Vinícius to voluntarily request to leave the field. Even in the 102nd minute, he persisted until he could no longer continue, hobbling off the field.

Meanwhile, Carvajal, in his thirties, faced relentless attacks from Manchester City players like Grealish, Bernardo Silva, and Doku, enduring until he was forced off due to cramps in the 110th minute. In such challenging circumstances, not a single Real Madrid player volunteered to be substituted, highlighting their mental toughness and resilience.

Throughout the game, Real Madrid remained on the defensive, yet emerged as the ultimate victors. The soldiers of the Galacticos demonstrated unwavering determination, enduring until the final moment and delivering a fatal blow to Manchester City in the penalty shootout. This resilient performance proves their rightful claim as champions of the UEFA Champions League, showcasing that their title is well-earned and not merely a hollow accolade!

Yamini003

"Manchester City is just nouveau riche, their players lack the strong sense of belonging and honor towards the club. Unlike them, Real Madrid's players, most of whom have won four or five UEFA Champions League titles, are not driven by a lack of accolades. Wearing the Real Madrid shirt means fighting to the end. Ultimately, it's about the players' strong sense of honor and belonging to the club. So, they must give their all in crucial matches. Before the match, everyone looked down on Real Madrid, thinking Manchester City would surely advance with a big win. But that's football, luck favored those who fought desperately. Since the restructuring of the UEFA Champions League, only Real Madrid has successfully defended their title. So, anyone could win the Champions League this season, except Manchester City. The Real Madrid players successfully eliminated Manchester City, maintaining the record of being the only team to defend their title in the revamped Champions League. Despite numerous injuries this season and the lack of a recognized striker, Real Madrid has continued to surprise us. With three games left until the Champions League final, I believe the Real Madrid players will continue to fight.

Being eliminated from the Champions League is actually a good thing for Manchester City because they currently hold the initiative in the Premier League. They can now focus solely on Premier League matches. With their strength, winning all remaining Premier League games is not impossible. However, I still hope for miracles."

Iravan774

De Bruyne was indeed running on empty, being 32 years old. Pep didn't do anything wrong this time; it all boils down to the players' performance on the field and a bit of luck in these top-notch matches.

Jiger955

Actually, everyone only sees the superficial phenomenon without thoroughly analyzing the underlying reasons. This season has been quite challenging for Guardiola, and he has demonstrated the standard of a top-level coach. That's how the football world works—when you win, everyone praises you, but when you lose, everyone criticizes you. Many players and coaches have experienced ups and downs. After the match, it's either about blaming the head coach or targeting the key players, like De Bruyne. After this season ends, he's likely to leave Manchester City and move to the Middle East league to secure his last big paycheck, which is understandable. After all, everyone is just trying to make a living. If you truly love Manchester City and appreciate De Bruyne, you should support his decision. Moreover, I think De Bruyne has already shown a strong mentality and professionalism. He didn't show any signs of slackening or arrogance in the last few games before leaving Manchester City.

Jatin255

I think if you lose, you lose. In the face of absolute strength, no matter who you draw, treat it like a final. Let's cheer up next time, Manchester City!

Kamal531

Anyone who watched this match knows that both teams gave their all. It was like a prelude to the Champions League final. Regardless of the outcome, both sides tried their best, and there's no need to blame anyone. Besides, Real Madrid is the club with the most Champions League titles, while Manchester City has also won many titles in recent years, including the Champions League. I think some fans need to maintain a positive mindset and not expect to win everything. The tighter you grasp, the easier it is to lose. I admire both teams for giving their all and displaying their style. They truly deserve the respect of every fan.

Jafar224

Even into the penalty shootout, why talk about substitution mistakes? Besides, De Bruyne is getting older, his stamina is depleted, it's better to bring on some fresh blood, increasing tactical flexibility.