Football is made up of myths, legends, stories, beliefs and passions – and that’s why it’s so intriguing to so many of us. But sometimes, certain events make us forget all the facts we were told. You know: African teams have talent but will always lack discipline, the Germans always score in the 90th minute to win, you can’t win anything with kids, Tottenham will always find a way to lose – and Real Madrid will rule forever. Not all “facts” are facts.Man City 4-0 Real Madrid. Not your regular scoreline. This is a disgrace to Spain 😭😭pic.twitter.com/QA3HhXygX0— Man City 4-0 Real Madrid 💕 (@KuameOliver_) May 18, 2023 While we won’t get into the problems of African football in this story, and we certainly have better things to do than to think about Tottenham, the last one of those items looked the most likely to be true. Real Madrid, the Royal Club, the richest, most successful, insanely popular club with immense tradition in world football, was meant to win. And even if they didn’t win, they certainly wouldn’t be outclassed. And if, by chance, they would get outclassed, they could never be humiliated, right? But on Wednesday, 17 May 2023, Manchester City beat Real Madrid, outclassed Real Madrid – and humiliated Real Madrid. Last season, Carlo Ancelotti and his world-class team pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history. They looked certain to lose to Manchester City. Still, a late rally from young Rodrygo and a cool Karim Benzema penalty set Los Blancos on the road to the 14th Champions League title. Further, it solidified their status as the competition rulers, casting doubt on Pep Guardiola’s credentials and the Cityzens’ chances of ever winning the so-desired prize. But Pep survived the pain; he improved his team and returned to have another attempt at dethroning the King. And this time, it all paid off. The English club got a respectable 1-1 draw in Madrid in the first leg last week and had a chance to make history at their Etihad Stadium. Such was their quality; they made Real Madrid look like Southampton or Burnley. Or Tottenham. Or Vihiga Bullets.##NAJAVA_MECA_7261890##Two goals from Bernardo Silva, a Manuel Akanji strike and the late Julian Alvarez killer goal only tell half of the story of how badly the Spanish club has hit the ground. The manner in which Guardiola’s side dictated play, won just about every physical battle around the pitch and surged forward for 90 minutes will live with City fans forever. And it might even be remembered more by the Spanish fans – because they never thought they would be dominated so cruelly.Although many are still surprised about what they saw on Wednesday night, one man can say he saw it coming long ago. Former England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney predicted that City would not only beat but crush Real Madrid in their UCL semi-final clash. What do you know, good old Wazza was right all along!City storm to UCL showdown as Pep’s boys make Real Madrid look like Vihiga BulletsApart from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who had many notable saves, no Madrid player came out of the Etihad debacle with any credit. From start to finish, from defence to attack, the black-wearing Whites were made to suffer and wish they’d stayed home. Ancelotti, who has been swagger personified for decades now, looked like a man completely out of ideas and hope. Nothing he’s said to his players before the game helped the team – and he had no clue how to overturn the course of the game against the rampant Cityzenns. Will the Italian coach still be in charge of the club next season? President Florentino Perez said to a few weeks ago, but who could say for sure today? The Italian says he has firm guarantees from his employer.”We have lost to a team with more quality and more intensity than us. Last year we were superior, and this year they were superior. It’s a defeat that hurts a lot. They’ve been much better; there’s no other choice but to think about next season. Next season, I will be here to fight to win another Champions League. No one doubts me. I think the president was very clear 15 days ago. What he tells me in private, I’m not going to say here.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##This season, the club from the Spanish capital let Barcelona run away with the La Liga title with four matchdays to spare, and they weren’t good enough in the Champions League, the competition they seem to win almost every year.Another big issue with Real Madrid is their playing staff. They are all world-class players, of course, but fatigue and age are taking their toll even on the very best. Over the two semi-final legs with City, the likes of Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal, and Toni Kroos looked like veterans who couldn’t cope with their opponents’ strength and speed. Those guys certainly have some good performances in them, but this was the first time their age became so apparent. And next season – they will all be a year older.It’s not all Real Madrid’s fault – and we would be mad to take anything away from Manchester City’s performance. The Sky Blues are on course for a fantastic treble: they are close to retaining the Premier League title and have reached the final of both the FA Cup and the UCL. They are currently on a 23-match unbeaten run and look capable of hammering any opponent. 🏆 UEFA Super Cup🏆 FIFA Club World Cup🏆 Copa del ReyWould you consider this a successful season for Real Madrid? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/STHMy22S39— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 17, 2023 However, the myths, the tradition and the things we’ve heard made us think again that the Madrid team would somehow find a way to overcome another obstacle and make the final. Not this time, though. Karma always catches up with everyone. The King is dead.
