In Summary
- Ancelotti was not happy with the referee for failing to consult with VAR after City’s goal
- They now have to beat City at the Etihad, a feat only Brentford have achieved this season
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Manchester City’s equaliser in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg should not have counted.
Ancelotti was not happy with the referee for failing to consult with VAR after City’s goal because he felt Bernardo Silva took the ball over the touchline in the build-up to Kevin De Bruyne’s stunning strike.
“The ball was off the pitch,” Ancelotti said. “The technology said it. I don’t understand why VAR didn’t check it. The referee didn’t pay attention to many things tonight.”
Vinicius Jr had given Real Madrid the lead against the run of play with a thunderous effort before De Bruyne stepped up for his team to bring them level with an equally-impressive strike when the hosts were in charge.
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Real Madrid Struggled
Ancelotti’s side had struggled to cope with City for the opening half-hour, but grew into the game after going ahead and looked the more threatening in the second half.
They now have to beat City at the Etihad, a feat only Brentford have achieved this season, to reach the final of the Champions League if they wish to avoid penalties.
Pep Guardiola was impressed by the way his side dealt with the occasion at the Santiago Bernabeu to set up what up is now effectively a play-off game at the Etihad to reach the Champions League final.
“When we were better they score. When they were better we score,” he told BT Sport. “Tight, tight game. The Bernabeu in the semi-final, sometimes we had good moments and sometimes it was difficult with the quality they have on the ball. Final next Wednesday at home with our people.
