On a night when Real Madrid gave absolutely everything on the pitch, exhausted bodies suddenly transformed at the sight of Antonio Rudiger’s penalty which sealed their place in the Champions League semi-finals.
Some hugged the goalscorer, others turned to face the man who saved two Manchester City shots on goal, but everyone ran – except their hero goalkeeper. Far from celebrating effusively, Andriy Lunin simply returned calmly to the center of the pitch, seemingly unfazed.
Jude Bellingham was heading in the opposite direction, towards where more than 3,000 Madrid fans were gathered. Arriving in the away section, the England midfielder jumped on the seats to hug them and sing with them – and he wasn’t alone.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team fought hard and they were going to celebrate hard. Once again, the madridistas reached the semi-final, the 12th in 14 years. In total, they did it 33 times. The most successful club in European Cup/Champions League history, with 14 trophies to date, and City – who beat them so well last season – were their latest victim.
How did they do it? For manager Ancelotti, it was all about “survival”.
Madrid will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
“We had to start the match strong, not like last year,” said the Italian, referring to the 4-0 defeat here in the semi-final second leg in May 2023.
“It worked well because we scored early. Then we had to defend ourselves, fight and sacrifice. It was the only way to stay alive in this equality. Madrid is a club that always fights to stay in situations where there seems to be no way out – but we always find a way.
“By the time the penalty shootout took place, we were confident we were going to qualify. It’s pretty much the only way to come to City and win. You work, sacrifice and earn however you can.
This first goal came from Rodrygo during the counter-attack, in the 12th minute. It was a sign that things would be different from last year’s humiliating defeat.
But as the minutes ticked by and Guardiola’s men piled up the chances, Ancelotti experienced it all on the sidelines. Talking to himself, waving his hands uncontrollably and, at other times, listening to his assistants, Davide Ancelotti and Francesco Mauri, he was almost always on his feet. Madrid could survive, but the experience was not going to be comfortable.
The Madrid coaches were insistently asking the defense to move forward as they were penned into their area by City’s offensive pressure. It was all a delicate balancing act, constantly tweaked.
“City has a very particular way of playing at home. They always try to control their opponents, but we knew that on the counterattack we were going to have chances,” Lucas Vazquez said later in the mixed zone.
“If you press City too high, they will score five goals,” added Toni Kroos with a smile.
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Before halftime, with the ball stopped after a foul, Bellingham approached the sideline to speak with Ancelotti and his son Davide, discussing how to modify the attacking game and make it more mobile.
As in the first leg, Rodrygo was deployed on the left flank but the idea was that Vinicius Junior and Bellingham – the two most advanced players – would swap positions. Bellingham relayed the instructions, but Madrid’s attack had few chances and, preoccupied with pressing, the front three soon looked exhausted. Bellingham had to use an inhaler during a break on the hour mark.
Bellingham and Vinicius Jr celebrate outside (Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
Antonio Rudiger’s sliding clearance gave Kevin De Bruyne the big chance his team were looking for, 76 minutes into the game. The Belgian’s goal left Madrid seemingly sunk. A water bottle was sent crashing onto the visiting team’s bench.
Ancelotti remained thoughtful, but his two assistants came out of their technical area to wake up their players, just as goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis had done a few minutes earlier. Everyone on the bench contributed when they saw that the players couldn’t take it anymore.
And some have really reached their limits. Vinicius Jr crashed to the ground and was taken out in overtime, shortly before Dani Carvajal, who had to be helped as he limped towards the bench.
“The best player in the game is the team,” Lunin said. “I don’t know how they could run like that, I couldn’t run like that for five minutes. They were all cramped, that’s normal.
Lunin was mobbed by his Madrid teammates during the celebrations (Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
It was truly a night for the team – against City it couldn’t have been any other way. It was eye-opening to see how the group operated, coming together closely after the 90 minutes were up and taking turns to complete the task at hand. The Ancelotti spoke, Luka Modric spoke, Vinicius Jr spoke, Vazquez spoke. There was room for every member of the locker room and there were plenty of leaders.
Despite the physical effort it took to get there, taking the match to extra time had a mental boost and Madrid believed in him again. Rudiger had a great opportunity to win the match after Brahim Diaz’s incisive pass.
But after Manchester City’s 33 shots, 18 corners and eight saves from Lunin, it went to penalties.
Davide Ancelotti prepared a piece of paper on which he noted the potential takers. It was also a group effort.
Ancelotti smiles as he reacts to Wednesday’s victory (Jan Kruger – UEFA via Getty Images)
“Thanks to Kepa’s help and discussions with the players, some of them were changed,” the coach said. “We decide and if one says he is dead, we change. That’s how it’s done, but it comes from the technical staff. The work of Llopis and Kepa was essential. Andriy was also very good.
“Many wanted to try their luck. The only one who didn’t want it was Militao because Ederson said he knew him (from the Brazil team).
During the penalty shootout, the Ancelottis – father and son – turned away from each other. They didn’t want to look too much. Their work was done.
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Lunin put it simply: “We had to choose and we all chose well. »
Bellingham had a little more to say.
“I’ve played against City before when you were close and then all of a sudden they take it away from you,” he told British broadcaster TNT Sports.
“You have to work very hard to beat them. I was almost dead on my feet at the end and winning the match is a huge reward.
“Our biggest strength is that (Carlo Ancelotti) finds a way to let a lot of boys play freely. That we are so “spontaneous”. Also as a man, he fills you with calm and confidence.
“Before the match, I caught him yawning and I said to him: ‘Boss, are you tired?’ And he said, “Yeah, you gotta go tease me over there.” That’s the kind of confidence and calm he brings.
“You can look at moments of brilliance, moments of magic, but today it just came down to mentality.”
(Top photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
