Only goal of the double-confrontation, that of Kevin De Bruyne at the Etihad stadium in the first leg will have been enough to hoist the Mancunians towards the last four, and bury the hopes of the people of Madrid, who tried everything until the end.

Pep Guardiola, who is still chasing a third success in the Champions League after the two continental crowns won with Barça in 2009 and 2011, will have the opportunity to reach the final of Europe's highest competition for the second year in a row, after the one lost last year against Chelsea.

Conversely, his rival Diego Simeone still fails in his European quest with Atlético Madrid.

An elimination which deprives him of a continental revenge against neighboring merengue, after the 2014 and 2016 finals and the 2017 semi-final, all lost.

This is the second year in a row that the Colchoneros have fallen to an English team, after their elimination last year against eventual winners Chelsea in the round of 16.

The Rojiblancos had however won eight of their last nine knockout matches against English opponents.

But the general scuffle which punctuated the match in the 89th minute and the red card sent to Felipe testify well to the impotence and frustration of the Colchoneros.

Scuffle between Atletico and Manchester City players at the end of the match, April 13, 2022 in Madrid Pierre-Philippe MARCOU AFP

Foden, sounded

In a crowded Metropolitano, thanks to the suspension by the Court of Arbitration for Sport of the partial stadium closure order issued by UEFA, the game started at a very high pace... and, as expected, on a different pattern to go.

Atlético Madrid needed at least one goal to push the game into extra time and continue to dream, and so the people of Madrid entered the pitch with more attacking intentions than at the Etihad Stadium, where the ultra- defensive, sometimes in 5-5-0, erected by Simeone had made people cringe.

The duels set the tone, with for example from the 11th minute this clash in the air between Felipe and Phil Foden, who had to continue the match with a bandage around his head after being on the ground for long minutes.

Despite the good intentions of the Colchoneros, it was the Citizens who alerted the first Jan Oblaks.

In the 9th minute, Gundogan's strike did not hit the frame, and in the 27th, Kevin de Bruyne's recovery was blocked by Reinildo.

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden, stunned after a clash with Atletico player Felipe, April 13, 2022 in Madrid OSCAR DEL POZO AFP

At the very end of the match (90th + 7), Gündogan almost killed the match, but lost his duel against Jan Oblak.

Griezmann and Felix, insufficient

But the best opportunity will come half an hour into the game for the Mancunians: after a brilliant through pass from Riyad Mahrez, the action ended at the feet of Gündogan.

His first attempt hit the left post, and his header was blocked.

Heat stroke for Atlético.

Despite the very good passage of the people of Madrid on the return from the locker room, neither Joao Felix, found a few times in the box, nor the strike from Rodrigo de Paul (71st), the best opportunity for the Rojiblancos, nor the long shots attempted by Geoffrey Kondogbia (35th ) and Antoine Griezmann (57th) did not shake the Citizen.

Diego Simeone tried to bring some freshness to the 70th with the entry into play of Yannick Carrasco, Rodrigo de Paul and Angel Correa in place of Griezmann, Koke and Renan Lodi … but in vain.

The Colchoneros lived up to their DNA and style of play all the way, and fell with their ideas.

Guardiola, he passed, with his.

A little warning, however: Kevin de Bruyne, replaced by Raheem Sterling in the 65th minute, ended up with his right foot in the ice on the sidelines.

And if he loses his master to play, the duel against Real will be a whole different difficulty for City.

© 2022 AFP