SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 05: Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid attends the Press conference at Estadio de La Cartuja on May 05, 2023 in Seville, Spain. Real Madrid will face CA Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on May 6, 2023. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Manchester City managed to equalize after conceding an early goal, drawing 1-1 with Real Madrid. Kevin De Bruyne scored a stunning goal to level the match, but Carlo Ancelotti was unhappy with the officiating. According to him, the referee failed to consult with VAR after Bernardo Silva allegedly took the ball over the touchline in the build-up to De Bruyne’s goal. Ancelotti was so upset with the situation that he entered the field of play and was shown a yellow card by referee Artur Soares Dias.
After the game, Ancelotti remained dissatisfied with the official’s performance, saying that the technology confirmed the ball was out of bounds, and he could not understand why VAR didn’t check it. Real Madrid had taken the lead through Vinicius Jr’s powerful strike, which came against the run of play. However, City dominated the first half-hour and grew into the game after conceding the goal. The hosts were in charge when De Bruyne scored his impressive goal.
Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, likened the second leg of the match to a final. Although the draw was a decent result for City, they will need to be at their best to overcome Real Madrid in the return leg. Ancelotti’s team showed resilience in the second half and looked more threatening than City, indicating that they will pose a significant challenge to their opponents in the next leg.
