Antoine Semenyo has reflected on his first appearance in the UEFA Champions League, admitting that Manchester City were punished for allowing Real Madrid too much space during their 3–0 defeat in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
The Ghana forward, who joined City from AFC Bournemouth during the January transfer window, was handed a starting role in the clash at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
After the match, Semenyo admitted that the Spanish giants took advantage of the openings City left in midfield.
“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,” Semenyo said in an interview with Hayters TV.
“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.”
Despite the disappointing result, the 25-year-old also spoke about the significance of making his Champions League debut, describing his journey from the lower levels of English football to Europe’s biggest club competition as a remarkable experience.
Manchester City now face a major challenge in the return leg scheduled for March 17 at the Etihad Stadium, where they must overturn the deficit to keep their hopes of progressing in the tournament alive.