‘Wish them the best’ – Man City star shows class with message to Real Madrid | OneFootball

A headline member of the defensive ranks at Manchester City has sent a classy message the way of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

The player in question? Kyle Walker.

Stopper Walker’s Man City were of course sent packing from the Champions League on Wednesday night, at the hands of Real Madrid.

After the two sides could not be separated across 210 minutes in their two quarter-final meetings, proceedings at The Etihad were sent to a penalty shootout.

And it was the visitors who ultimately held their nerve, Andriy Lunin saving a pair of spot-kicks to oust the reigning holders from the Champions League.

In the days since the clash, many have been quick to criticise Real, owing to their approach to the Manchester showdown.

This comes with the La Liga leaders having employed a defensive setup, lining out in a low block with the intention of hitting their hosts on the break.

Pep Guardiola’s City, as a result, dominated when it came to possession and shots at goal alike.

One member of the Sky Blues’ ranks, however, of the opinion that Real Madrid deserve full credit for their triumph comes in the form of the aforementioned Kyle Walker.

Speaking in an interview with Manchester City’s official website, the England international was drawn on the nature of his side’s defeat on Wednesday night.

And though Walker agrees with the sentiment that the Premier League champions were ‘probably the better team’ over the two legs, he also gave Carlo Ancelotti’s victors their well-earned dues, before wishing them ‘all the best’ in efforts to wrestle back their title of European football’s best.

“The hardest part of football is putting the ball in the back of the net,” Walker began.

“You have to say they defended well. It’s a tough one – as a whole we were probably the better team, but you have to take your hats off to Real Madrid. Their game plan worked.

“You do these drills eight times out of ten in training and it’s very hard for the attackers to go and score when you’re against a low block.

“We should be used to that – we’ve dealt with that, especially for the last seven years since I’ve been here… people come to the Etihad, and they find it difficult.

“We should have the experience to go and hurt the teams that come and do that.

“The rub of the green wasn’t on our side and especially when you go to penalties – I’ve been there for England and for City and lost and won. It’s a flip of the coin.

“It’s very difficult. It’s probably the cruellest way to ever lose a game but it’s part and parcel of the game.

“We’re obviously extremely disappointed as a set of players and a club to not go and maintain the Champions League.

“It wasn’t to be, and we have to say a big congratulations to Real Madrid and wish them all the best in the competition.”

Conor Laird | GSFN