Four times in four seasons now, Real Madrid and Manchester City have met in the knockout stages of the Champions League, and on each of the last three the victors have gone on to lift the trophy. Whoever comes out on top this time, though, will still have some way to go to keep that streak alive.
What had evidently become an exercise in early coronation has tonight been relegated to the novelty of a Champions League hinterland, a play-off stage somewhere between where you were and where you’re trying to get to, Uefa’s Didcot Parkway, if you will.
