Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti described the disappointment of their Champions League semifinal exit to Manchester City as bitter yet earned through merit, acknowledging that the performance from City left little room for doubt about the result.
From the opening whistle, City asserted themselves with sharper tempo and relentless pressure, making it challenging for Real Madrid to impose their preferred style of play. This early intensity set the tone for a match that favored the home side in control and execution, narrowing Madrid’s pathways and limiting countering opportunities.
According to Ancelotti, the defeat carried a sting and a sense of aggression from the opponents who were clearly superior on the night. He noted that when facing a team in peak form, the outcome can hinge on those moments when one side dominates, leaving the other to reflect on what could have been done differently in the final analysis, as reported by the UEFA official channels.
The scoreline stood at 4-0 in favor of Manchester City, with the first leg having finished 1-1, culminating in a decisive aggregate victory for the English club. The scoreboard reflected City’s clinical finish and tactical discipline across both legs, underscoring the caliber of the performance required to advance to the final.
Bernardo Silva was a standout, delivering a brace that cemented City’s lead and momentum. Manuel Akanji contributed to the scoreboard with a precise finish, while Julián Álvarez added one more goal, illustrating City’s offensive depth and their capacity to convert key chances in European ties.
Looking ahead to the final, Pep Guardiola’s squad prepared to meet Inter, who had previously eliminated Milan with a 3-0 aggregate result. That matchup promises a fascinating contrast of styles, with City’s high-pressing, possession-based approach confronting Inter’s structured, compact defense and counterattacking potential.
The Champions League final was scheduled to take place on 10 June in Istanbul, marking a historic occasion as City and Inter prepared for their first official meeting in this global competition, an encounter that would crown the season’s ultimate continental champion.
In another note, Carlo Ancelotti solidified his standing among the all-time greats by extending his record for the number of Champions League matches, a milestone achieved shared with the legacy of managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and shaped by a long career at the pinnacle of European football.