Manchester City came through a tricky clash at the Wanda Metropolitano to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals, as a 0-0 draw proved enough to see them through by a one-goal margin on aggregate.
In a first half devoid of significant goalmouth action, the visitors came closest as an effort bobbled off the upright of Jan Oblak’s goal and back into play.
The hosts improved in the second half, but still failed to test the goalkeeper despite having much of the ball and pressing Pep Guardiola’s side high up the pitch in stark contrast to the first 45. Shots continued to fly in, mostly wide of the mark, as Diego Simeone’s side raised the tempo and kept City on the back foot for the second 45.
And tempers flared in the final minutes, with a brawl containing first team players and substitutes resulting in Felipe being shown red and Stefan Savic perhaps lucky not to have been, as the Spanish side blew any late chance of parity and extra time.
While questions will be asked about the opposition, the referee let challenges go throughout the game, and it could leave Manchester City with plenty of walking wounded come the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s side will now face Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the competition.
Player Ratings
Manchester City
Hardly had a save to make, and his passing was its usual crisp standard in the first half. Could not keep the ball in the second as he was consistently forced long.
Kyle Walker – 6
Strolled through large parts of the game with ease, but will have sparked concern owing to a painful-looking ankle injury forcing him off in the second half, ahead of a semi-final at the weekend.
Aymeric Laporte – 5
Looked shaky and was uncharacteristically sloppy on the ball. Was lucky that it ultimately went unpunished.
John Stones – 7
Headed narrowly wide early in the piece, but made up for it with a brilliant block five minutes from time as the Sky Blues clung on.
Joao Cancelo – 5
Was far from his best self either on the left or the right.
Rodri – 6
Booed at every turn due to his Atletico links, Rodri strolled through the first half but found it much tougher in the second as Atletico began to press.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
The best option in the Manchester City midfield, but struggled like his teammates in a hectic second half.
Kevin De Bruyne – 4
Could hardly get on the ball and create amid Atletico’s packed midfield, and was taken off after just an hour with an injury after an ineffectual performance.
Phil Foden – 5
Was bullied from pillar to post by Atletico Madrid, and the addition of a Terry Butcher-esque headband only seemed to serve as further encouragement. Still created the most in a Manchester City shirt.
Riyad Mahrez – 6
Looked a threat but could not translate his promising runs into any final product of note.
Bernardo Silva – 4
Deployed out on the left side of the front three, the Portuguese maestro looked well off the pace, and struggled to get involved in proceedings.
Subs:
Raheem Sterling – 5
Hardly got a touch in the game.
Nathan Ake – 8
Came on for the stricken Kyle Walker, and let nothing past him in an impressive display.
Fernandinho – 7
Deployed with Manchester City on the ropes, and his experience helped stem the tide of pressure on the visitors’ goal.
Atletico Madrid
Jan Oblak – 7
One save late in the tie kept flickering hopes alive, but was a spectator for much of the second half as his side dominated.
Renan Lodi – 6
Ran his heart out, but could not make a difference before being withdrawn.
Reinildo – 5
Solid but unspectacular, another in a long line of hard going Simeone centre-backs.
Felipe – 4
Happy to put his body on the line for the cause and showed leadership skills in Gimenez’s continuing absence. A braindead decision two minutes from time saw him sent off, in a fitting conclusion to the Atletico Madrid performance.
Stefan Savic – 6
Lucky not to be booked for an agricultural first-half challenge on Foden. Made some key blocks.
Marcos Llorente – 7
One of the better performers on the pitch, and will feel hard done by to have been on the losing side.
Geoffrey Kondgobia – 7
Quietly very impressive yet again for Diego Simeone, and kept a midfield of more household names very quiet.
Thomas Lemar – 6
Tidy but nothing more. A far cry from the 72 million player Atletico thought they had bought in 2018.
Koke – 5
Struggled to impose himself on the game and wasted a good chance to play in a forward in the second half. Can have no complaints at being subbed with 20 minutes to go.
Antoine Greizmann – 6
A strong runner but sent a good chance wide in the second half and struggled on limited service.
Joao Felix – 5
Was only handed half chances, but came close with none of them. Was tidy with his link-up play, however, but it was no surprise to see him taken off even as his side chased a goal.
Subs:
Angel Correa – 4
Could not get into the game when he came on whatsoever. Missed a glorious late chance.
Yannick Carrasco – 5
Took on the Renan Lodi mantle and gave Cancelo a torrid time in the dying stages, but couldn’t find the end product.
Rodrigo De Paul – 4
His first act was to blaze a cross wildly over, and he did little else for the remainder of the match.
Luis Suarez – N/A
Was not on the pitch long enough to have an impact.
Matheus Cunha – 4
Did nothing of note.
