Ancelotti proud as Real dig deep for revenge in Pep’s Manchester

REAL MADRID coach Carlo Ancelotti was beaming with pride after his team dug deep for long periods on Wednesday to keep Manchester City at bay and squeeze past them on penalties into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

"I love it when a team gives their all and sacrifices everything in big games like this one," he said after a pulsating two-legged quarter-final that ended 4-4 on aggregate before the Spanish side triumphed 4-3 in a penalty shootout.

It was sweet revenge for Real Madrid, who were thrashed 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in their exit from the Champions League at the semi-final stage last year.

"I believe that there was no other way to beat Manchester City here. I'm proud of what we did," added Ancelotti, who paced nervously up and down the touchline during the shootout until defender Antonio Ruediger scored the winning kick.

"By the time the penalty shootout came, we were totally convinced we'd go through. You work, sacrifice and win however you can.

"We defended really, really well tonight. This was about survival. Madrid is a club based on always fighting to stay in situations where there seems to be no way out – but we always find a way."

Ancelotti said his counterpart, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, had been generous in defeat despite the frustration of seeing his team dominate possession but fail to win in Wednesday's second leg 1-1 draw.

Pep Guardiola is a gentleman, always has been. He congratulated us, wished us good luck and that's what a real gent does," he said.

After taking an early lead, Ancelotti's men were pressed back throughout the game, conceding

City manager Pep Guardiola embraces Real counterpart Carlo Ancelotti. Reuters

late on but then hanging on through extra time until the penalties.

"We started well and scored in the beginning but the game changed, they pressured us and our plan was not to defend that deep

Alvarez ( Silva ( Kovacic ( Foden ( Ederson (

Modric (✗) Bellingham (✓) Vazquez (✓) Nacho (✓) Rudiger (✓)

but it's a big game and you need to fight.

"We have seen Real Madrid do this many times before, a club that brings something out that nobody thought we would have."

Real Madrid's English midfielder Jude

Bellingham was exhausted but elated after their defensive masterclass.

"You put so much into the game. I've played against City before and they snatch it awayfromyou.iwasprettymuchdeadonmy feet at the end," he said.

"It's so difficult. They are continuously probing with the ball and move you around. Most teams would fall apart when City get on top of you but we stood up really well ... Today it came down to mentality. It's beautiful. My brother is here today, the first time he's seen me play for Madrid."

Kimmich stars for Bayern

Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich powered in a 63rd-minute header to give them a 1-0 victory over a toothless Arsenal on Wednesday and send them through to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in four years with a 3-2 aggregate win.

Germany international Kimmich timed his run into the box perfectly to connect with a Raphael Guerreiro cross and put Bayern, who had earlier hit the woodwork twice from a double chance, in the driving seat following a 2-2 first-leg draw.

The Bavarians, enduring their worse domestic season in more than a decade, will next face Real Madrid in the last four while outgoing Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel became the first German coach to reach the last four with three different teams.

"Unbelievable win. It's been a tough season for us and we've had to fight and grind at times," said Bayern's top scorer Harry Kane, who had bagged a goal in the first leg.

"Today was just that - we knew it was going to be a tough game but also that at home we could make the difference with our fans there. As always in these types of games, the first half was a bit cagey. We said at halftime to up the tempo and the pressing and be better with the ball. That's what we did."