Antoine Semenyo, Ghanaian forward for Manchester City, has admitted that his side faced a difficult challenge after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.
The 25-year-old made his Champions League debut for Manchester City in the high-profile encounter played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Spain. However, the match proved to be a tough introduction to Europe’s elite club competition as the Spanish giants dominated the game.
Speaking after the match, Semenyo explained that Real Madrid were able to control possession and effectively exploit spaces in midfield, which ultimately cost his team during the encounter.
“They had their moments; they kept the ball really well and exploited the bit of space that we had in the middle of the park,” he said.
The Ghana international acknowledged that facing a team with the experience and quality of Real Madrid requires absolute concentration, warning that any opportunity given to such a side can quickly be punished.
“So it’s obviously a bit tough, but again, that happens. It’s a tough team, and if you give them a chance, they will take it,” he added.
Despite the disappointing result, Semenyo reflected positively on his personal journey to the Champions League, describing the experience as remarkable considering his rise from non-league football to playing on one of the biggest stages in world football.
Manchester City will now turn their attention to the second leg of the tie, scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, where they will need a strong performance at the Etihad Stadium to overturn the deficit and keep their hopes of progressing in the competition alive.
