Real Madrid were handed a humiliating 4-0 drubbing by Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Etihad Stadium yesterday evening. The 13-time European Cup winners were simply outclassed in every department by their Premier League opponents in a performance that left club president Florentino Perez seething.
It was a forgettable night for Los Blancos as goals from Bernardo Silva, Akanji, and Alvarez propelled Pep Guardiola’s side into the final of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
The lavishly-assembled Madrid side barely mustered a shot in anger throughout the 90 minutes in stark contrast with City’s free-flowing, attacking brand of football that simply blew the Spanish giants away.
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Speaking to the press following the insipid loss, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti conceded his players were comprehensively outplayed and had no excuses.
Some of the shell-shocked Madrid players who faced the media echoed their boss’ sentiments that City were deserved victors on a night they reached an exalted level Real could only dream of emulating.
Florentino Perez Fumes at Devastating Champions League Loss
According to Madrid Xtra, Florentino Perez was seething after witnessing his team’s pathetic surrender and refused to speak to the players following the final whistle.
The stinging defeat is set to usher in an overhaul of an ageing Madrid squad this summer, though Ancelotti’s position as coach appears safe for now.
Whilst legendary figures such as Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are likely to remain, exciting young talent like Jude Bellingham is being sought to inject fresh impetus.
Madrid’s limp capitulation fully vindicated Perez’s apoplectic rage. Whether Madrid’s humbling Champions League exit precipitates major surgery or merely superficial tweaking in a bid to revamp a listless side remains to be seen. Regardless, a long, painful inquest into systemic failings at the Bernabeu is already underway.
