Manchester City is close to perfection

Luka Modric’s departure was emblematic Real Madrids appearance. When Carlo Ancelotti took the five-time Champions League winner off the field after an hour in a 4-0 loss to Manchester City, observers once again saw the end of an era for the dominator of the last decade. Since 2014 has Real won the competition five times, with 37-year-old Modric and Karim Benzema, who is two years younger, always present. In Madrid analyzes are now announced, Ancelotti’s whereabouts are unclear.

When asked about his future, the Italian assured his whereabouts. “Nobody doubts it, because the President made a clear statement 15 days ago. Nobody doubts it,” said the 63-year-old persistently. Club President Florentino Pérez confirmed him in office after the triumph in the Spanish Cup. It will remain the only well-known title that the Madrilenians, who are used to success, will win this season. FC Barcelona secured the cup in Spain’s league four rounds before the end. Ancelotti’s statement of a “good season” caused in Madrid for misunderstanding.

The fact that Ancelotti became the sole record holder in the ranks of coaches with his 191st match in the European premier class was only a side note in the end. Looking at the result, he himself “didn’t want to make any drama out of it. That’s football. Today we played against an opponent who deserved to win”. The bitter defeat was also “a step on the way to doing better next year”. His contract with Real runs until 2024. Ancelotti apparently wants to fulfill it after months of being traded as the future coach of the Brazilian national team.

David Alaba “completely dubbed”

David Alaba also went after his tenth semi-final appearance – eight times with Bayern Munich, now for the second time Real – beaten from the field. The 30-year-old fought vehemently against the defeat in central defense, but was lost against Erling Haaland and Co. The Norwegian didn’t score a goal, but could hardly be controlled by Alaba and his neighbor Eder Militao. Spain’s press gave the Viennese an average grade. “Completely overplayed by the entire English offensive and especially Haaland, who missed three clear chances,” wrote the madrid Sports newspaper “Marca”, which gave Alaba a 4.

Outstanding goalie Thibaut Courtois received a 10-best score. The Belgian put in a fantastic performance and “avoided an embarrassing defeat”. had 0:4 Real lost only once in the Champions League – also in England in Liverpool in the round of 16 in 2009. In Manchester it could have been six or seven goals without Courtois’ brilliant saves, “Marca” suspected. The competition newspaper “AS” headlined the presentation of Real: “To cry.” The defeat must have consequences.

Changes in summer?

During the summer break it is expected that Real readjusted. Benzema’s contract is expiring, he is expected to sign until 2024. Modric and Toni Kroos, whose contracts are also expiring, are also expected to stay for at least one more season. The 33-year-old Kroos said in Manchester about statements about an aging team: “The last time I heard about the end of an era for this team was 2019, so it’s been a while.”

Young blood will still come. For weeks, the rumor has been that the 19-year-old Jew Bellingham from Dortmund Madrid should move. The England team player is expected to take responsibility in midfield alongside Uruguay’s Federico Valverde and France’s Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. In attack, every well-known striker has already been identified as a potential Real– Called access. For Tottenham’s Harry Kane or Napoli’s Victor Osimhen would have to Real with traded transfer fees of around 100 million euros, of course, dig deep into their pockets.

Manchester City show of force

Manchester City are the clear favorites against Inter Milan in the final on June 10 in Istanbul, and not just because of the show of force. “I don’t know why but I could smell the team was ready to play at this level as they did,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.

England’s media currently see Manchester City as unstoppable. “The next step closer to finality, to immortality,” wrote the Guardian. The “Daily Star” sees the master “within sight of the Holy Grail”. The Champions League trophy is the only title that club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan from Abu Dhabi has not won since joining the club in 2008. There was a bitter 1-0 final defeat against Chelsea two years ago, last year was against Real in the semifinals terminus.

The promotion, which was lost in the final minutes of the second leg, served as additional motivation. Guardiola said he felt that the team wanted to forget the pain of 2022. “It was all there. The energy that we had after a year of being criticized as characterless players because we lost a game.”

“Any team can be stopped”

The English weren’t lacking in self-confidence. “I don’t think many teams Real Madrid can dominate like that,” said Jack Grealish. “It feels like we’re unstoppable, especially at home,” added the winger. Guardiola dismissed Grealish’s statement. “Any team can be stopped. It’s nice that the players feel that way, but things can happen quickly in football. We have to stay calm.”

The Spaniard could complete his work in Manchester in Istanbul. Guardiola won the Champions League twice with FC Barcelona, ​​but was denied this with Bayern Munich. With City he is now in the final for the second time. He has been coaching the club since 2016. “It was the night a seven-year reign culminated, when perfection flared and the impossible dream of treble became a possibility,” wrote The Sun. The defending champion could fix the championship title in the Premier League at the weekend, the FA Cup final against Manchester United is scheduled for June 3rd.

“We’re close. It’s already very, very good what we’ve done so far,” said Guardiola. He emphasized that you also have to celebrate if you reach the final of the Champions League. “Unfortunately we don’t have time because we can win the Premier League on Sunday.” But he wanted to give his players a day with their families.