Spanish press react to Real Madrid ‘humiliation’ as 4 gamers in firing line

The tie was finely poised after a 1-1 first-leg draw on the Bernabeu final week, however City had already put distance between themselves and Los Blancos by half-time within the return leg on the Etihad Stadium.

Bernardo Silva’s double was adopted up by Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez, making it 4-0 on the night time and 5-1 on combination as City arrange a bumper Champions League last towards Inter Milan subsequent month.

Pep Guardiola’s facet might have made the margin even wider, however for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ heroics within the Real Madrid aim. Naturally, the Belgian averted the brunt of the post-match media frenzy, however 4 of his team-mates weren’t so fortunate.

After what Mundo Deportivo dubbed a ‘catastrophe’, AS laid into the skilled midfield duo of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Both gamers had been substituted lengthy earlier than the full-time whistle after being given the runaround in the course of the park.

The German and his Croatian accomplice in crime had been mentioned to be ‘outclassed’ by their opponents in Manchester, with Rodri and John Stones beginning on the base of midfield for the hosts, whereas the identical report referred to reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema as ‘non-existent’.

Camavinga was branded ‘ignorant’ by Marca for City’s opener, which noticed Bernardo lash dwelling after Kevin De Bruyne’s by move, though the teenager definitely wasn’t helped by Vinicius Jr. forward of him, who negated his defensive duties for a lot of the recreation.

The Brazilian was broadly let off the hook by the Spanish press, nonetheless, after scoring within the first leg and exhibiting intent to attempt to take the sport to City after the break. Walker nonetheless earned rave evaluations for his marking job towards Vinicius, who was successfully stored beneath wraps.