‘Suffocated and drowned’ - Spanish media reaction as Man City suffer Real Madrid heartbreak

Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday night, but newspapers in the Spanish capital have kept a respectful tone regarding Pep Guardiola's 'superior' side.

The defending champions took on the competition’s most successful side as the Spanish giants arrived at the Etihad Stadium. Level on aggregate from the first leg, City hoped to make the most of home advantage in their attempt to reach the Champions League semi-finals

Guardiola’s men dominated the match but fell behind to an early goal from Rodrygo, though Kevin De Bruyne equalised in the second half. City tried to get the better of Real Madrid’s defence but were eventually forced into a penalty shootout after failing to break the deadlock. Real Madrid’s Luka Modric missed the opening spot kick but both Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw their efforts saved for City to send the Spanish giants through.

Here’s what the Spanish press had to say about the games and both teams’ performances at the Etihad Stadium:

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Spanish outlet Sport was full of praise for City’s display, admitting that Real Madrid were fortunate that Pep Guardiola’s side did not take their chances, writing: “Real Madrid put an end to Manchester City's dream of achieving two trebles in a row. Guardiola's men were clearly superior and capable of completely destroying the whites in [golakeeper Andriy] Lunin’s area, but they also showed that in the Champions League, the same maxim always rules: take advantage of the moment and materialise the options you have. There is