Manchester United Legend Slams Grealish After Costly Misses Against Real Madrid in Champions League Semifinal

Manchester United Legend Slams Grealish After Costly Misses Against Real Madrid in Champions League Semifinal

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:01 PM
In this article:
Jack Grealish logo
J.Grealish
Manchester City logoMEngland logo
UEFA Champions League logo
UEFA UCL
Europe
  • Rio Ferdinand believes Jack Grealish failed in his attempt to turn his Manchester City career around as the Citizens were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League
  • Grealish missed two glaring chances to rubberstamp Manchester City’s lead against the Galacticos before a late capitulation from the Premier League champions
  • City has now failed in their attempt to reach a consecutive Champions League final after a 6-5 aggregate loss against Real Madrid

Jack Grealish has had a low start to life in his first season with Premier League champions, Manchester City despite being bought for a British record fee.

The £100million signing was a second-half substitute for Manchester City in their UEFA Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand, Jack Grealish, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid
Jack Grealish came agonizingly close to scoring what would have proved a decisive goal for Man City against Real Madrid. Photo by Matt McNulty
Source: Getty Images

The 26-year-old had two good opportunities to extend the Citizens advantage after Riyad Mahrez had given Man City a 1-0 lead but missed his chances to the regret of Pep Guardiola’s team.

According to a report via Daily Mirror, Rio Ferdinand suggested that Grealish's entire Manchester City career could have been different if he had scored in the Spanish capital.

"That changes everything for Jack Grealish in a Manchester City shirt, whether you think he's been good or bad or average, that would've changed everything."

Rodrygo would however score twice in 89 seconds for Real Madrid to miraculously send the tie to extra time with Karim Benzema scoring from the spot to knock out the Premier League champions.

Wenger takes brutal swipe at Jack Grealish

Meanwhile, former Arsenal manager, Arsenal Wenger has also blamed Jack Grealish for Manchester City’s ouster from the UEFA Champions League.

According to Birmingham Live, Wenger felt the 26-year-old winger could have done better defending the cross from Dani Carvajal that resulted in the equalizer from Rodrygo.

Grealish has had an underwhelming season since joining Manchester City from Aston Villa as the England international has scored just 5 goals in the 2021/22 season.

Pep Guardiola breaks silence after Champions League loss

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has broken his silence after his side's heartbreaking elimination from the Champions League.

Guardiola was hoping to lead City to another final in the European football tournament only to be dumped out by Real Madrid in the semi-final.

The Citizens won 4-3 in the first leg of the tie played at the Etihad Stadium - but suffered a 3-1 defeat in the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu.

Authors
Chukwu Ikechukwu photo
Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
Tags
World