Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City equaliser against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final should not have stood according to images released using 3D technology – and here is why.
The hosts opened the scoring at the Bernabeu Stadium through a stunning effort from Brazilian international Vinicius Junior just before half-time, as he lashed his shot past his fellow countryman Ederson in the City goal to give his side the advantage heading into the break.
Los Blancos looked as if they would be able to shut out Pep Guardiola’s men as the game progressed, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland all being limited to a fairly quiet evening in the capital.
However, they were eventually undone by City’s star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne who matched Vinicius’ impressive first-half strike with a similar effort of his own, as his first-time shot cannoned past his international teammate Thibaut Courtois.
It was a goal which infuriated Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti as he believed Bernardo Silva was out of play with the ball during the build-up to the equaliser. Speaking on beIN sports during the game, former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger highlighted how the City goal should have been reviewed by VAR, before the broadcaster confirmed using 3D technology that the ball had gone out of play.
Speaking to BT Sport after the fixture had reached its conclusion, Ancelotti was asked why he was shown a yellow card by referee Artur Dias for his protests at the equaliser and said: “I don’t know why. I told him I was not on the pitch. I think he could give the yellow card to the player, not the manager.”
“Good game, interesting game,” he added when discussing how the first leg of the tie played out.
“Difficult for us the first half. Second half much better, good control of the game.
“We were in good control defensively and then we start to play and create difficulties for them. You have to keep the position, don’t go crazy to press, keep the low block.
“The team played well. I am satisfied with good sensations about the game on Wednesday.
“Defensively we were good. The midfield covered the position in front of the defence. We are satisfied, sometimes the result doesn’t give you the credit but the performance was good.”
