• Match review

Atletico Madrid 0-0 Man City – Player Ratings as Citizens secure semi-final spot

Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and John Stones at Manchester City
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The Citizens prevented Atletico from coming back into the tie after a close race at Wanda Metropolitano.

Manchester City held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday. A tight battle saw the Citizens qualify for the next round after a 1-0 win on aggregate.

Impossible to comeback without a goal!

Atletico tried their best to prevent City from scoring in the first leg. However, a winner from Kevin De Bruyne ruined their plans at Etihad.

Coming into the game, Diego Simeone’s side needed a goal to come back into the game. But, as expected, it was Man City who started the game by dominating the possession.

The Citizens had a perfect chance to break the deadlock just before the half-hour mark, but Ilkay Gundogan’s effort only shook the post.

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Atletico looked much-improved offensively after the interval. Following a brilliant pass from Felix, Rodrigo De Paul curled a beautiful effort that went just wide of the near post.

The hosts came close to scoring several more times in the game’s final stages. However, City’s efficient way of slowing the game down did not let them gain enough momentum to change the course of the game. The Rojiblancos’ frustration resulted in a second yellow card for Felipe in the extra time, leaving Simeone’s side with ten men in the dying stages.

What’s next for Man City?

The goalless draw sends City to the semi-finals, where they meet Real Madrid. The Blancos defeated Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate and must now prepare to face another Premier League powerhouse.

Following their draw in Madrid, City travel to London to face Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday. The Citizens will then meet Brighton in their next league game on Wednesday.

Player Ratings

Atletico Madrid: Oblak (6), Llorente (7), Savic (7), Felipe (5), Mandava (7), Lodi (6), Koke (5), Kondogbia (7), Lemar (5), Joao Felix (5), Griezmann (6).

Bench: Suarez (5), Cunha (6), Carrasco (6), Correa (7), De Paul (7).

Manchester City: Ederson (8), Walker (7), Stones (7), Laporte (7), Joao Cancelo (7), De Bruyne (7), Rodri (6), Gundogan (8), Mahrez (7), Foden (6), B. Silva (6).

Bench: Sterling (6), Ake (5), Fernandinho (7). 

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