Manchester City showed their character in a tough contest in Madrid to celebrate their 100th UEFA Champions League game by securing their place in the semi-finals at the expense of Atlético de Madrid.
It was the intense start Josep Guardiola had anticipated, as Diego Simeone’s spirited Atlético pressed quickly from the first whistle, spurred on by the roar of the Estadio Metropolitano.
However, as the game began to settle, it was City who logged the first chances, İlkay Gündoğan pinging a close-range effort off the post on the half-hour after John Stones had headed over and a Kevin De Bruyne volley was blocked by Reinildo Mandava.
Still chasing a one-goal deficit, a rejuvenated Atlético emerged in the second half to create several early opportunities, João Félix narrowly failing to connect with Renan Lodi’s inviting delivery and Antoine Griezmann slicing wide from the edge of the area. Two decent chances for substitute Rodrigo De Paul followed, and as Atlético upped the ante, City dug deep as the final whistle approached.
Simeone’s men went all in, and in an action-packed ending, Stones blocked Matheus Cunha’s effort and Ederson saved from Ángel Correa to ensure City reached a second successive semi-final.
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