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Yesterday was a night of many troubles but none as big as that of Premier League juggernaut Manchester City and their lethal counterpart Arsenal. It was the night that Man City missed out on a historic second treble as they were thwarted off the Champions League along with Arsenal. Here’s what happened.
Not-so-Treble After All: Real Madrid Kick Manchester City Off the Champions League
It was the second leg of the UEFA Champions League and both Manchester City and Real Madrid were drawn 3-3 on aggregate. It was City’s moment to shine at home and secure a much-coveted spot in the UCL Semi-finals but things went awry quickly. First came Real Madrid’s goal from Rodrygo, who had to renege a save by City’s keeper, and put it in assuredly in the 12th minute.
City were seemingly in shock but after the halftime break were rescued by the brilliant Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne equalized for City in the 76th minute, much to the thrill of the victory-drunk Man City fans.
On went the game, with normal time ending in a 1-1 draw and 4-4 on aggregate.
The ‘Pens’
Then came extra time, and neither team could outdo the other, pushing the game into penalties. The teams were now in an all-or-nothing situation with the penalty takers bracing themselves for glory or ridicule. Luka Modric missed his penalty for Real Madrid, the first of the night, detonating a roar from City fans. Then came on Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vasquez, and Nacho who all converted theirs.
For City, Julian Alvarez was the first to take the spot and scored, before Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic fumbled theirs, but Phil Foden and Ederson (the keeper), converting theirs.
Lunin, Ederson and Raya with stops
Who impressed you most? @TurkishAirlines || #UCLsaves pic.twitter.com/8vO0C0g7o2
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 17, 2024
Real had one last penalty to take and it was Antonio Rudiger who took the spot and ate the penalty like a hungry Spanish matador bull.
Yes! Real Madrid had sent off Manchester City from the UCL 23-24 and denied them a treble!
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 17, 2024
Arteta Misses: Arsenal Kicked Off the UCL by Bayern Munich
At the same time at the Allianz Arena, Arsenal were up against Bayern Munich who gave them a proper German football lesson. Arsenal were playing real solid but their English smarts didn’t put off Kimmich who scored Bayern’s only, and winning goal in the 63rd minute.
The game went on but Arsenal still couldn’t pull off a wonder despite really good attempts from the likes of Gabriel Martinelli. The result – Mikel Arteta had missed his claim to glory and wasn’t going on to the Champions League Semi-Finals.
Not the result we wanted. Not the result your support deserved.
Thank you for joining the journey, Gooners. See you on Saturday at Wolves ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rVwPhtFpWZ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 17, 2024
UCL 23-24 Semifinals Qualifying Teams
The deserving teams that had snatched the opportunity to proceed to the UCL 23-24 Semifinals were now Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Incredible quarter-finals #UCL pic.twitter.com/JN77H7Vy5e
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 17, 2024
Paris Saint-Germain had also kicked Barcelona off the UCL after beating them 4-1 and 6-4 on aggregate while Borussia Dortmund had done the same to Atletico Madrid after beating them 4-2 and 5-4 on aggregate. Both BVB and PSG were also going on to the UCL semis.
Semi-finals ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/lhFBmp3M2X
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 18, 2024
UCL 23/24 Semifinal Fixtures
The four qualifying teams are scheduled to clash as follows. Real Madrid will go up against Bayern Munich on 30th April for the first leg of the UCL Semifinals while Dortmund face PSG on 1st May.
️ The road to London is taking shape…#UCL || #UCLbracket
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 17, 2024
BVB will then clash with PSG for the second leg of the semifinals on 7th May while Real and Bayern will lock horns a final time on 8th May.
