The Manchester City squad believed they were on track to win the Champions League this season if they had beaten Real Madrid on penalties. In a thrilling quarter-final, City and Madrid played to a 3-3 draw in the first leg and a tense 1-1 draw at the Etihad in the second leg. The match went to penalties, where Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic missed their shots, leading to Real’s victory. This defeat dashed City’s hopes of a treble, but they remain unbeaten in their last 23 Champions League matches and have secured the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles last season. City and Real Madrid have faced off in the past three seasons, with Real emerging victorious twice in extra time. This has created an iconic European rivalry between the current champions of England and Spain, as well as the last three Champions League winners.
City midfielder Kovacic expressed confidence in the team’s abilities, stating that they were deserving of a win over Real Madrid based on their performance in the two matches. Despite the disappointment of losing on penalties, Kovacic believes that City could have gone all the way if they had won. Real Madrid has responded to City’s acquisition of Erling Haaland by signing Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Endrick in 2022, creating a formidable attacking force. If City faces Real Madrid this season, they will need to find a way to stop this new-look Bernabeu attack. However, Kovacic believes that City’s advantage lies in the consistency of their squad and manager as they aim to reclaim the European crown.
While there are several top teams in contention, including Bayern Munich and Arsenal, Kovacic considers Real Madrid and Manchester City to be the best in terms of overall performance. City’s stability, both in terms of playing style and managerial consistency, sets them apart from other teams. The club’s ability to maintain a consistent approach and expectations contributes to their success on the field. In a competitive landscape where teams have strengths and weaknesses, City’s consistency and stability stand out as key factors in their pursuit of Champions League glory.