Real Madrid took the tie to a penalty shootout on Wednesday night against Manchester City before knocking Pep Guardiola’s side out of the competition – and Jude Bellingham spoke after the game.
The Champions League holders, Man City, were expected to build on their away draw at the Santiago Bernabeu – having picked up an away 3-3 draw. Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol scoring.
But it was Real Madrid that prevailed at The Etihad. Indeed, it was Carlo Ancelotti’s side that took the lead in the first half early on. A gorgeous touch from Jude Bellingham saw him set up Vinicius Jr on the right.
The Brazilian played the ball across the box and Rodrygo tapped home. It took until the 76th minute for City to score their only goal of the night, playmaker Kevin De Bruyne levelling the tie at 4-4 on aggregate.
Jude Bellingham gives his take on Manchester City after win
The game went to extra time and Bellingham lasted the entire 120 minutes. But he was shattered, at one point going over after a duel with Mateo Kovacic – and ending up lying on Man City goalkeeper Ederson.
He got himself up and caught his breath to score Madrid’s second penalty in the shootout. But the real hero of the night was Madrid stopper Andriy Lunin – saving Bernardo Silva and Kovacic penalties.
Speaking to TNT Sports after his side had knocked Man City out of the competition, Bellingham spoke of how impressed he had been with his opponents – and how they normally get the job done against you.
“It’s so difficult because they are continuously probing with the ball, they move you around and they take you into positions you don’t want to go but you have to follow man for man, or they can punish you.
“They did for the goal. Most teams at that point would fall apart when City get on top of you, the crowd gets going, but we stood up really well and for another half an hour or 40 minutes we worked hard.”
How close did Man City come to signing Bellingham last summer?
Of course, City have a solid relationship with Dortmund having signed Erling Haaland from the German side a year before. Back in February 2023, City opened talks to sign him from the Bundesliga side.
Speaking before tonight’s win over Manchester City, Bellingham shared to TNT Sports of how a couple of English teams spoke to him in meetings. But, Madrid was a “no-brainer” when they became interested.
So, City did their best and hoped of doing a deal and clearly, Bellingham was keen – but a move to Madrid was what he wanted and what he got. Goodness, how good that decision has been from him.
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