Vinícius Júnior stood with his arms outstretched, seemingly pleading for instructions from his coach. Carlo Ancelotti — his hands on his hips — didn’t know what to say.
Only 23 minutes had been played and Real Madrid was getting overwhelmed and humiliated by Manchester City in the semifinals of the Champions League — a competition the Spanish club has almost made its own.
And already Vinícius, one of the world’s best players, and Ancelotti, the European Cup’s most decorated coach, were helpless.
That’s how good City was on a night when Pep Guardiola and his players produced a masterpiece nearly seven years in the making.
“We feel unstoppable,” City winger Jack Grealish said after his team’s 4-0 win, which secured a place in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul on June 10.
Madrid would vouch for that.
City has been taking soccer to new heights over the last few months and
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
