Man City will now play Real Madrid, who defeated Chelsea in a thrilling quarter-final tie on Tuesday, for a place in this year’s final
By Kehinde Okeowo
Man City produced a disciplined defensive display to set up a Champions League semi-final encounter with La Liga leaders, Real Madrid after holding off the challenge of Atletico at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
The visitors, after winning the first leg at Etihad, knew a clean sheet would send them to the next stage of the competition, and they kept their cool despite hostility from the home crowd to qualify on 1-0 aggregate.
Ilkay Gundogan had Man City’s best chance in the first half but failed to score from a close range.
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Atletico Madrid increased the tempo of their press in the second half and pushed desperately for parity, but City put up a resolute rearguard action to earn their progression to the last four.
The La Liga outfit finished the match with 10 men when defender Felipe was shown a second yellow card in the 82nd minute for kicking Phil Foden.
The Citizens will now face Real Madrid, who edged past London side Chelsea in a thrilling quarter-final tie on Tuesday, for a place in this year’s final.
Having lost to Chelsea in last season’s final, Man City will be playing for their first Champions League title in a campaign where they are competing for a treble if they beat Real Madrid.