Match report as Manchester City secured the result they needed against Atletico Madrid to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League as Felipe was sent off for the hosts; Pep Guardiola's side will now face Real Madrid over two legs for a place in the final
Thursday 14 April 2022 06:24, UK
Manchester City's ill-tempered goalless draw away to Atletico Madrid was enough to secure a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory in their Champions League quarter-final.
Leading from the first leg thanks to Kevin De Bruyne's goal, Man City retained their advantage in front of a boisterous Wanda Metropolitano crowd to progress to the last four.
There were nervy moments late on as Atletico pushed hard for the goal despite Felipe's red card in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.
Ederson was forced into a 102nd minute save from substitute Angel Correa to ensure it is Man City who will play Real Madrid in the semi-final.
Atletico had been criticised for their shot-shy performance in Manchester but there was more intent from the outset in Madrid, showcasing their trademark aggressive approach.
The supporters booed Pep Guardiola's name and jeered the taking of a knee. When the game kicked off, Felipe's brutal challenge on Phil Foden drew blood from his head.
Foden played on with a bandage and City tried to play their football despite the hostility, almost finding the breakthrough goal when Ilkay Gundogan struck the foot of the post.
But Diego Simeone's side redoubled their efforts after the interval, pushing more players forward and raising the tempo, with Antoine Griezmann firing just wide of the post.
Injuries to De Bruyne and Kyle Walker added to the sense of jeopardy as Simeone's triple substitution midway through the second half heaped pressure on the away side.
But when Felipe was finally sent off for another foul on Foden, the job seemed to be done against their increasingly desperate hosts. Stefan Savic somehow stayed on the pitch despite an apparent headbutt on Raheem Sterling and then pull on Jack Grealish's hair as tempers flared while Foden lay injured.
And yet, it still required a save from Ederson with all but the last kick of the game to deny Correa. Manchester City were through. Just.
"We know they sometimes try to make things happen like that," said John Stones of the stoppage-time melee that culminated in Felipe's red card, when speaking to BT Sport.
"I thought we dealt with it really well. I don't want to dwell on it too much because over two legs I thought we played incredibly against such an experienced team.
"I am so proud of the lads today, how we kept our control, kept our tempers. It is so easy to get drawn into stuff like that. I am so happy to be through. A great night."
"In the second half, they were better than us and we were lucky we did not concede," Guardiola told BT Sport. "In the first half, we had our chances. Overall, we are in the semi-finals. It is well deserved."
The City coach refused to be drawn on Atletico's antics but he did note the injuries to De Bruyne and Walker that present them with a problem as they continue to compete for the Premier League title and the FA Cup.
"We are in big trouble. We cannot forget we played three days ago in a tough game against Liverpool. We have to come here and we have a lot of injuries right now.
"I am not sure what is going to happen in the next weeks but today we are going to celebrate because it is the third time in Manchester City's history that we are in the semi-finals of the Champions League."
First legs to be played April 26/27; Second legs to be played May 3/4
Final to be played in Paris on May 28
Manchester City face title rivals Liverpool again on Saturday as they head to Wembley for the semi-final of the FA Cup; kick-off at 3.30pm. Pep Guardiola's side are back in Premier League action against Brighton on Wednesday as they look to maintain their slender one-point advantage at the top of the table.
Atletico Madrid return to La Liga action on Saturday afternoon as they play host to mid-table Espanyol. Diego Simeone's side then face relegation-threatened Granada on Wednesday, hoping to stave off pressure from Real Betis and Real Sociedad for fourth spot.
To be rearranged: Wolves (a) Premier League
April 16 - Liverpool (Wembley) FA Cup semi-finals
April 20 - Brighton (h) Premier League, live on Sky Sports
April 23 - Watford (h) Premier League
April 26/27 - Real Madrid Champions League SF first leg
April 30 - Leeds (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 3/4 - Real Madrid Champions League SF second leg
May 8 - Newcastle (h) Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 14 - FA Cup final *
May 15 - West Ham (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 22 - Aston Villa (h) Premier League
May 28 - Champions League final *
* Subject to progress
