KippaxBlue's thoughts on City's astonishing departure from the Champions League;
Real Madrid 1-3
Unbelievable! After it looked like City were going through to the final when the Mahrez goal had put them two goals up Real Madrid were able to equalize in added time and then in extra time a penalty settled the battle in Real's favor.
As expected City made several changes from the Leeds match and it was good to see Walker back.
After a quiet start we almost had a boxing match on 8 minutes. It did not last for long and in the end both Laporte and Modric got yellow cards.On 14 minutes De Bruyne takes a pass from Foden and shoots but the ball goes straight at the keeper. 5 minutes later Courtois is in action again - this time he has to make a good save from Benardo. A few minutes later an effort by Jesus goes wide and at the other end a foul by Rodri ends with a corner which is headed clear by Walker.Alas Walker was injured but he was back on after treatment. Five minutes before the break Foden has a shot saved. So at half time it is goalless.
On 49 minutes Jesus has a go from a narrow angle but straight at the keeper. Then on 65 minutes De Bruyne is badly fouled by Carvajal who gets a yellow card. a few minutes later Walker limps off and is subbed by Zinchenko. In addition Kevin De Bruyne who has not been at his best is subbed by Gundogan. How important will these changes mean!
On 74 minutes City broke and a good pass from Benardo found Mahrez who lashed the ball past Courtois to give City the lead -surely game over! It was a cracking goal and he was the first City player to score 7 goals in a single Champions League season. A few minutes later Grealish comes on for Jesus and later he is brought down by Militao who is yellow carded. With two minutes to go Grealish has a couple of good chances - one is brilliantly cleared off the line and the second goes just wide.
Alas just on time Rodrygo takes a pass from Benzema and scores from close range. One all - oh dear the ref has given 6 extra minutes -surely not that much!
In the first minute of added time Real Madrid scored again and it was Rodrygo again -this time with a header. Unbelievable! two goals in 2 minutes. So now we have to suffer extra time!
Disaster in the first three minutes - Dias brings down Benzema in the penalty area and Benzema takes the kick -sends Ederson the wrong way and Real Madrid win 3-1 and go through to play Liverpool in Paris in the final.
The only City player to give 100% was Benardo Silva - would City have done better had Walker been able to stay on and De Bruyne had been on the ball. We shall never know!
Now Pep has to get the players back to top level for the remaining League games starting with the home game against Newcastle U on Sunday.