Arsene Wenger criticises Jack Grealish after Man City’s Champions League exit

'When Grealish is against Carvajal, he is passed easily, too easily'

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has criticised Jack Grealish after Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola's side - who were leading 1-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate late on thanks to Riyad Mahrez's goal - conceded two goals towards the end of normal time in the second leg, which took the game to extra-time. Madrid substitute Rodrygo scored twice in the 90th minute, before Karim Benzema converted a penalty in extra-time to give Los Blancos a 3-1 win on the night and a 6-5 victory on aggregate.

Grealish criticised by Wenger

After the match, Wenger - who reached the 2006 Champions League final with Arsenal - criticised Grealish for allowing Carvajal to get past him too easily. The Frenchman also suggested that incidents similar to Rodrygo's second goal were ultimately why City exited the competition. https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1522119072166596610 "When you look at 1-1, when Grealish is against Carvajal, he is passed easily, too easily. He must absolutely fight to stop that cross,” Wenger told bein SPORT. "You do not want the ball in the box, anything can happen when everybody goes forward. That is where City did not secure the game, defending on the sides. Because they conceded, even when you look when Benzema gave the ball back, they didn't really attack the ball the defenders, they made big mistakes. "When you're a manager and you lose a game, you go home and always think, 'what have I done wrong?' The second thing I would say is that what is surprising for me is that this team from Madrid, when they need an answer to a problem, they always find a solution. "Let's not forget they scored six goals against City, they scored six against Chelsea. It is not always the case that City concede six goals in two games. They have something special."

Madrid hoping to end Reds' quadruple hopes

Madrid will now face-off against Liverpool in the final in Paris on May 28, with the Reds still in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple this season. Related links:

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• Real Madrid punish Grealish misses as Man City implode in chaotic climax
• Man City fans prank Stefan Savić with Jack Grealish photo during stadium tour