Real Madrid faced off against Manchester City at the Etihad with the knowledge that a win on enemy territory would secure their spot in the tournament’s semi-finals, following a 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Bernabeu. The team reportedly received pre-match analysis on City, including their recent 0-0 draw against Arsenal, from assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo Ancelotti. After the match, City manager Pep Guardiola expressed no regrets and congratulated Real Madrid for advancing to the final four, acknowledging their strong defensive performance.

Despite his disappointment at not securing a win, Guardiola commended his team’s efforts and emphasized their attempts to create opportunities while minimizing concessions. When questioned about Real Madrid’s defensive tactics, Guardiola refrained from passing judgment, citing past encounters with similar opponents and the challenges of playing at the Etihad. He highlighted City’s offensive efforts, particularly in the second half, where they pushed to break through Real Madrid’s defense but ultimately fell short.

Additionally, the text promotes a new WhatsApp community for Mirror Football content, offering special offers, promotions, and partner advertisements, with an option to opt out and a reference to a Privacy Notice for those interested in more information.