Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hailed his side for holding on to make the champions league semi final but admitted his side are “in big trouble” as a result of injuries picked up in the Spanish capital.
Both Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker were forced off as City staged a defiant defensive display to claim a 0-0 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano, securing a 1-0 aggregate win.
Guardiola did not reveal the extent of the injuries but was clearly concerned, with Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool to follow.
The Reds made seven changes from Sunday’s high-intensity 2-2 Premier League draw at City, as Jurgen Klopp rested a number of key players in their Champions League last-eight tie with Benfica on Wednesday.
But Guardiola made just two for the tough test against the Spanish champions.
Diego Simeone’s side were also extremely physical, allowing this to spill over into ill-discipline late on, with Felipe seeing red for a dangerous follow-through on Phil Foden, having earned his first yellow card for an elbow to the same player that drew blood.
The second yellow sparked an on-field confrontation between both sets of players and those on the two benches.
Former City defender Stefan Savic appeared to headbutt Raheem Sterling and pull Jack Grealish’s hair in the melee.
City will play Real Madrid in one of the semi final with Liverpool facing Villareal. And there is a possibility of an all English or an all Spanish champions league final.
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