Kevin de Bruyne’s goal at the Etihad last week proved decisive against an Atletico team that showed more offensive effort in front of its own fans, but did not score in both games. Diego Simeone’s increasingly frustrated team finished the game with 10 players after a second yellow card to Felipe, amid intense hand-to-hand combat in the final minutes. These clashes continued in the tunnel after the last whistle, with the police having to intervene. City, who still had to withstand some intense pressure from Atletico in the second half, will now face Real Madrid in the last four, as they want to return to the final. – ESPN + Spectator Guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more- Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access “It was not our best game, that’s for sure,” City midfielder Rodri told reporters afterwards. “We were tired in the second half because of the calendar, we had a very intense match at the weekend against Liverpool and we were off our feet at the end.” However, Atletico felt they deserved more and criticized the way City tried to reduce time. “When Atletico play like City did today, they criticize us a lot. Let’s see what people will say today,” captain Koke told Movistar Plus. “I am proud of my teammates for their effort, nothing to blame the team. We had our chances, we did not take advantage of them and congratulations to the opponent, but Atleti deserved more.” Manchester City players are celebrating after their victory in the quarterfinals of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid. Getty Images In contrast to the first game, Atletico started much more aggressively, pushing City high and trying to disrupt the rhythm of the guests. Phil Fontaine paid a price for Atletico’s intimidation tactics, which required long-term treatment and a bandage around his head after a strong aerial challenge from behind Felipe. But City withstood this early pressure and began to take control of the known processes. Pep Guardiola’s team also had the clearest opportunity of the first half, when Ilkay Gudogan tried to cross with the side in the bottom corner of the net in the middle of a match with the goal, to see his attempt to return from the crossbar. Just in the 35th minute, Atletico forced Anderson in his first save of the night and the draw. But it was only in the second half that they started to seriously threaten City’s home. Joao Felix could have done better with a free head that missed from 12 yards out, while Antoine Griezmann shot out just outside the box when he had to find the target. As the crowd in Madrid that looked more like a cauldron roared at his team, City showed real signs of discomfort for the first time. And in a frantic last five minutes, John Stones had to make a heroic block to block Matheus Cunha’s shot, while Jan Oblak and Ederson were forced into strong rebounds at each end. In the end, however, Atletico failed to make the visitors pay. And as the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, Atletico proved to be their worst enemy when they reacted to what they considered theatrical by Fontaine and wasted valuable time and a man with Felipe looking red. After two games against Atletico that marked a clash at the top of the table in the Premier League with Liverpool, Manchester City remains on the road to treble ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final, once again against Liverpool. This report uses information from Reuters.
