Mesut Ozil expresses joy on social media as Real Madrid book UCL semifinal spot after beating Man City
Former Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil reacted to Los Blancos beating Manchester City on penalties in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final meeting on Wednesday (April 17).
Both sides played out a 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last week, after which the Cityzens hosted their opponents at the Etihad for the second leg. Despite dominating proceedings and keeping 68 percent possession, Pep Guardiola's men had to settle for a 4-4 aggregate scoreline after extra time.
With the game going to penalties, Real Madrid's Luka Modric was the first to miss from the spot. However, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic's saved spot kicks allowed the La Liga team the opportunity to win the tie.
Defender Antonio Rudiger calmly slotted home the winning penalty and earned his team a spot in the semi-finals of the continental competition. After the match, Ozil, who spent three years in Madrid, wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter):
"Halaaaa Madriiiiiid."
The former Germany international made 159 appearances across competitions for Real Madrid, bagging 27 goals and 81 assists. He won the La Liga trophy once among other honors with the Spanish outfit.
Following his three-year stay at the club, Ozil secured a move to Arsenal, where he ended up spending eight years before leaving the Emirates in 2021.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti praises his team's attitude after Champions League win against Manchester City
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's attitude in their second-leg quarter-final fixture against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The visitors managed just eight attempts, compared to the home side's 33, but made their chances count, with Rodrygo opening the scoring within 12 minutes. Despite all of Manchester City's efforts, Kevin De Bruyne scored his team's only goal in the 76th minute.
After the match, Ancelotti told Movistar (via ESPN):
"Everybody gave us up for dead, but Real Madrid never die."
"There was only one way to come out alive, and that was to take our chances -- we took one early -- and then by defending well. There's no other way against City," he added.
Real Madrid will now face Bayern Munich across two legs in the semi-final, the first of which will be played at the Allianz Arena on April 30. The return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled for May 7.