When Antonio Rudiger ended the penalty shootout with a ticket to the semi-finals for Real Madrid, Los Blancos players celebrated as if they had just won their 15th European championship.However, there is one of their heroes who does not so sublimate emotionally.Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin stepped into the midfield area in a calm state even though he had just had a match that could be the best of his career.
12 Champions League semi-finals in the last 14 seasons, more broadly 33 times in the history of the European Club Championship, this achievement is a testament to the absolute strength of Real Madrid.The victory at the Etihad became more glorious when Real defeated the defending champions and had a trip to the final three seasons.On top of that, Real won on the pitch of the opponent who defeated them last season.For coach Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's vitality and survival instinct in this playground is one of the most important factors to make success in recent years.
"We entered this match with the strongest spirit to forget the 0-4 defeat at the Etihad last season.Things went well for Real Madrid when they scored early, but after that, everyone saw how hard the whole team had to fight.That is the only way to survive in the Champions League.
Real Madrid are the team that always finds a way out in the most difficult seemingly difficult situations.When it comes to the penalty shootout, we believe we will be the team to continue.You have to equip yourself with that spirit to travel to Man City and win.Let's commit, sacrifice, give our all and win by all means" - Ancelotti shared after the match.
When Rodrygo opened the scoring in the 12th minute, it was a sign that the result this season could be different for Los Blancos.After that, experiencing Man City's stifling resistance, Ancelotti had to constantly discuss with his assistants to find a way to cope every minute.Real Madrid won but their feeling of getting that was not comfortable at all.
When Kevin De Bruyne equalized for the home team in the 76th minute, the TV camera recorded a bottle of water thrown from the outside and pitched straight into the Real Madrid coaching bench.someone has experienced a feeling of extreme tension when seeing Man City score and the danger of pressuring Real as much as they can.However, only Ancelotti remained calm, the Italian coach directed the two assistants to approach the border to remind the players to rearrange their playing style.
Vinicius and Dani Carvajal fell onto the field due to pain.The endurance of the away team's pillars has exceeded its limits.
After the match, when recalling those moments, goalkeeper Lunin shared, not understanding how his teammates could continue to play in such a state of endurance. That can only be the strong vitality of the stars wearing Real Madrid's shirt. When playing for this team, surrender is a concept that cannot appear in anyone's mind.
During the penalty shootout, Carlo Ancelotti and his son - assistant Davide Ancelotti did not look directly at the shots many times.They also reached the limit of endurance and luck, in the end Real Madrid won.
"Before the match, we saw him doing a few things, it could be a sign of fatigue and stress.I asked Ancelotti, does he feel fine?Ancelotti said yes but added that we need to perform well on the pitch to ward off the fatigue that is covering him" - Jude Bellingham shared.
