Real Madrid assesses future after ‘good season’ despite Champions League exit
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema stands dejected during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Man City beat Real Madrid 4-0 to advance to Champions League final. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Nick Potts]
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid is not used to big losses in the Champions League. The “Kings of Europe” are usually the ones rolling past opponents and lifting the trophies at the end. But this time Madrid never had a chance in a 4-0 loss at Manchester City in Wednesday’s second leg of the semifinals and was eliminated 5-1 on aggregate to a team that was superior from the start. The only thing left for Madrid was to praise its rival and start planning for what’s ahead. Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior says “we have to learn from what happened in this match so it doesn’t happen again next season.”
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Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti stands by the touchline during the last minutes of the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Manchester City won 4-0. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jon Super
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti stands by the touchline during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jon Super