Within just two minutes, Manchester City slipped away from what was believed to be a safe place in the final of the Champions League. Instead, record winner Real Madrid celebrates. The press is particularly harsh on Pep Guardiola.
Real Madrid have followed Liverpool to the Champions League final after a terrific battle. Four days after winning the 35th Spanish championship early, the team led by ex-national player Toni Kroos beat Manchester City 3-1 (2-1, 0-0) after extra time in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening. The English champions won the equally spectacular first duel 4:3.
The international press writes:
“The Sun” (UK)
“Pep Guardiola has found some extraordinary ways to lose key Champions League games in his six years in charge of Manchester City. But none of them drove the former Barcelona boss nearly as crazy as this one.”
“Daily Mail” (UK)
“Man City self-destructs in Madrid.”
“Daily Mirror” (UK)
“Pep’s nightmare! Man City surrender in stoppage time while Real Madrid snatch last place in Champions League final.”
“The Times” (UK)
“Ambusked in Madrid: two crazy minutes in added time drive City insane.”
“Real Madrid are writing the greatest heroic story ever told.”
“El Mundo Deportivo” (Spain)
“Don’t try to explain it because honestly there is no explanation for what happened with Real Madrid and the Champions League. In the 89th minute the Whites were out of the final and in the 95th minute they were in the final of the Champions League. Another wondrous historic night for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu (…).”