Jack Grealish is assured of reaching the Champions League final after Manchester City fought again to say a draw within the first leg of their semi-final in opposition to Real Madrid.
Kevin De Bruyne struck a shocking equaliser at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night time as City got here from behind to attract 1-1 after an equally sensible opener from Real’s Vinicius Junior.
The consequence leaves the tie delicately poised forward of subsequent week’s return leg at the Etihad Stadium.
City are searching for revenge for his or her loss to Real at the identical stage final season and Grealish feels the Premier League facet’s home report provides them the sting.
The England midfielder instructed BT Sport: “We have a brand new crew this yr, completely different gamers.
“We’ve discovered a lot since final yr. Now we’ve the proper steadiness of expertise and some children who’re simply world-class.
“I believe we simply have high quality and I’ve by no means felt so assured happening to the pitch and having these gamers round me.
“Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there. We got here right here to try to win, but it surely reveals our character to go a purpose down – it’s all the time troublesome to play at a spot like this.
“In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few as well.”
What a recreation in Madrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/qnO04DfQ8k
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 9, 2023
City managed loads of the early play however Real soaked up stress and hit them with a high-quality counter-attacking purpose.
City supervisor Pep Guardiola praised his facet for the way in which they fought again when below extreme stress.
Guardiola stated: “It was a very tight recreation. Congratulations to the crew as a result of this crew (Real) are all the time so troublesome for his or her historical past and in addition their high quality.
“We began very well and after we had been higher they made an unbelievable transition (and scored).
“When they were better than us in the second half, we scored. It’s open to Manchester, it will be a final for our people and we look forward to it.”
Real supervisor Carlo Ancelotti was booked amid commotion on the touchline as De Bruyne celebrated his 67th-minute equaliser.
The Italian revealed afterwards he had been complaining the ball went out of play within the build-up to the City purpose. He additionally claimed he had seen proof he was right.
Ancelotti stated: “The ball was off the pitch. Technology stated it and I don’t perceive why VAR didn’t verify it
“The referee didn’t pay attention to many things tonight.”
Ancelotti, nonetheless, was completely happy sufficient along with his facet’s efficiency and the state of the tie.
He stated: “We need to play like this once more subsequent week. Our technique was good, we weren’t frightened after they had possession.
“Then the second half was utterly completely different. We had the ball and created alternatives. We are very happy. “
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