No treble this time around for Manchester City

Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic face disappointment in penalty shootout loss as Erling Haaland remained ineffective after being substituted to watch from the bench.

The midfielders faced disappointment from the penalty spot after Pep Guardiola opted not to rely on Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, his top penalty takers.

Manchester City once again outplayed Real Madrid, but this time lacked the finishing touch and confidence as their Champions League campaign ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the quarter-finals. Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic were unable to convert their penalties, with Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin making crucial saves after the match ended 1-1 in regular time and extra time.

Despite City's dominant performance, they struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, and their hopes were dashed when they needed Erling Haaland the most, only for Guardiola to have substituted him after another underwhelming performance in a crucial match. Antonio Rudiger then sealed the victory for Madrid by scoring the decisive penalty.

In a reversal of the first leg, City fell behind early to a goal from Rodryro, who has proven to be a thorn in Guardiola's side with his fourth goal against City in this competition. However, City responded positively, with Haaland hitting the crossbar with a header and Bernardo missing the follow-up chance.

Manchester City's performance improved significantly after halftime, as they dominated possession and pinned Real Madrid back in their own half. Their persistent pressure eventually led to a breakthrough when Kevin De Bruyne capitalized on a defensive error by Rudiger to score. However, De Bruyne missed a golden opportunity to secure the win before the end of regular time.

The momentum continued into extra time, with City controlling the game and creating chances. Despite Rudiger squandering a clear opportunity for Madrid, the majority of the play belonged to City. Ultimately, the match was decided by a penalty shootout, where Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and even goalkeeper Ederson successfully converted their penalties. Unfortunately, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic failed to deliver when it counted the most, resulting in City's elimination from the competition.

Man City's players rating from the Etihad Stadium

Goalkeeper & Defence

Ederson (7/10):

Ederson performed admirably throughout the match. He was blameless for the conceded goal and remained alert despite having relatively little to do for much of the game. He made a crucial save from Luka Modric's penalty and confidently converted his own spot-kick.

Kyle Walker (5/10):

Walker's return to the starting lineup after a month-long absence was marked by rustiness. He was caught out of position for Real Madrid's opening goal and struggled to contain their forwards initially. However, he redeemed himself with a crucial defensive intervention against Vinicius in extra time.

Ruben Dias (6/10):

Dias had a mixed performance, as he was caught off guard by Vinicius for Real Madrid's goal. However, he quickly regained his composure and became a stabilizing presence in City's defense, effectively cutting off Madrid's passing lanes in the second half.

Manuel Akanji (7/10):

Akanji seamlessly took over the role previously held by John Stones and played a vital role in City's defensive improvement as the match progressed. He contributed significantly to City's defensive solidity and played a key part in their comeback.

Josko Gvardiol (7/10):

Gvardiol initially struggled against Federico Valverde but showed resilience and determination as the game unfolded. He made crucial defensive interventions, including important blocks and interceptions, throughout the match, demonstrating his value to the team until the final minutes of extra time.

Midfield

Rodri (5/10):

Although not performing at his peak, Rodri displayed tactical awareness throughout the game. He made a crucial intervention by fouling Brahim Diaz to prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):

De Bruyne showed determination and drive, constantly pressing and attempting to create opportunities for his team. Despite several unsuccessful attempts, he managed to score the equalizing goal. However, he missed a golden opportunity to secure victory during regular time.

Bernardo Silva (5/10):

Silva contributed to City's attacking play by effectively shifting the play from side to side and containing Vinicius Junior in the second half. However, his penalty during the shootout was poor, as it was easily saved by Madrid's goalkeeper, failing to capitalize on the chance to secure victory for his team.

Attack

Phil Foden (6/10):

While Foden didn't produce any standout goals in this match, he still played a crucial role in City's second-half dominance. Although quieter than usual, he contributed to the team's attacking efforts and ultimately converted his penalty in the shootout. Despite missing a significant chance in extra time, his overall performance was solid.

Erling Haaland (5/10):

Haaland showed improvement compared to his previous performance against Madrid, as evidenced by his header hitting the crossbar. However, he once again failed to find the back of the net in a crucial match, highlighting his struggles in big games.

Jack Grealish (6/10):

Grealish engaged in an intriguing battle with Dani Carvajal and played a key role in City's attacking moves. He was involved in some of City's most promising attacks throughout the game. Although his substitution for Jeremy Doku may have come as a surprise, it was a decision made by Pep Guardiola, who ultimately knows the team's dynamics best.

Subs & Manager

Jeremy Doku (7/10):

Doku's introduction added an extra dimension to City's attack with his pace and skill, causing problems for the Madrid defense. He played a key role in creating the equalizing goal and continued to trouble Madrid throughout extra time.

Julian Alvarez (5/10):

Alvarez was brought on to provide fresh energy and movement in extra time but struggled to make a significant impact on the game. However, he showed composure by converting his penalty with precision.

John Stones (N/A):

Stones was introduced late in the game, providing defensive reinforcement during the latter stages of extra time.

Mateo Kovacic (N/A):

Kovacic was brought on as a substitute for De Bruyne during extra time but unfortunately faltered during the penalty shootout, failing to convert his spot-kick.

Pep Guardiola (6/10):

Guardiola's halftime adjustments and the introduction of Jeremy Doku injected new life into City's performance, leading to a more dominant second-half display. However, his decision to substitute Haaland, who could have been crucial in a potential penalty shootout, may be viewed as a misjudgment in hindsight.