Manchester City Crushes Real Madrid to Secure Coveted Spot in the Finals

Will Guardiola slip again?  Man City storms into finals with a dominant victory over Real Madrid 

Manchester City defeated Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday night to get to their second Champions League final.

With the first leg of the semifinal match ending in a 1-1 draw in the capital of Spain eight days prior, everything was still up for grabs at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s team put on a thrilling first-half display that enabled them to establish a two-goal lead thanks to Bernardo Silva’s brace.

From there, City didn’t look back. An own goal from Eder Militao and Julian Alvarez’s late strike settled the tie, with City’s hopes of winning a Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble – emulating Manchester United in 1999 – more alive than ever.

City will face Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul on June 10 after the Italian giants defeated local rivals AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate in the other semi-final tie. Here are the main talking points from City’s unforgettable display against the dethroned European champions.

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City unchanged squad

With a team as talented as City’s, attention was focused on Guardiola’s starting lineup before the second game. He kept the same lineup as the 1-1 draw last week in Madrid, starting Jack Grealish on the left flank instead of Phil Foden, and leaving Riyad Mahrez on the bench.

With Antonio Rudiger moving to the bench, Militao, who missed the first leg due to suspension, rejoined Carlo Ancelotti’s Real team. That was a risky decision considering that Rudiger, a former Chelsea defender, performed brilliantly last week when facing the ferocious attack of City.

It ultimately turned out to be the incorrect choice.

Real struggle

Large-scale games are typically either cautious or chaotic. Fortunately, it was the latter. Real struggled mightily to keep up as City sprinted off the starting line in search of an early goal.

That was made clear by Eduardo Camavinga’s impolite challenge on Silva, which referee Szymon Marciniak overlooked but the incensed home crowd did not. In retaliation, the Portuguese star shoved Toni Kroos over a corner flag.

Erling Haaland then maneuvered around Thibaut Courtois, but the angle was insufficient for a shot. Then, Rodri got a fantastic opportunity to challenge the goalkeeper but missed his shot.

Courtois pockets Haaland

Much was expected of Haaland in Manchester after he failed to deliver in Madrid. When he was singled out in the six-yard box with the goal at his mercy in the 13th minute, the talented forward should have scored. But he directed his header directly at Courtois.

A few while later, Haaland was given another chance. He sent a strong header back across the goal this time that appeared tipped for the top corner. But Courtois managed to wrench the ball away in some fashion.

Brilliant Bernado

However, Courtois was powerless to stop Silva’s opening strike.

When Silva ran onto a ball that Kevin De Bruyne threaded between two defenders in the 23rd minute, City scored. After waiting for Courtois to commit, the former Monaco winger drove the ball toward the center.

In response, City supporters cheered wildly, but they were nearly hushed when Kroos launched a thunderous long-range shot. The ball deflected off of Ederson’s fingertips and into the crossbar, much to the relief of the home crowd.

Silva delivered once more when Guardiola’s team needed a second goal. A scrambling defender in a frantic attempt to block Ilkay Gundogan’s shot deflected off him and looped into the path of the small livewire, who kept his composure and waited for the ball to come down.

The ball seemed to hang in the Manchester sky for a lifetime, but Silva had just enough time to choose his position and gently head the ball into the top corner. After that, City supporters could have been excused for considering flights to Istanbul.

The ball seemed to hang in the Manchester sky for a lifetime, but Silva had just enough time to choose his position and gently head the ball into the top corner. After that, City supporters could have been excused for considering flights to Istanbul.

Rampant City

Even though the second half was more competitive, City remained in charge. Haaland nearly made it 3-0 when he slipped past the defense, but Courtois made another ludicrous save to stop him. Haaland’s indignant response said it all.

However, a few moments later, Manuel Akanji’s header deflected off Militao and into the goal, delighting City’s 52-goal striker. Alvarez had barely enough time to enter the game and score a fourth goal. Real were completely outclassed by City, who were astounding.

Fans Support

Since losing to Lyon at the Etihad in September 2018, City has gone 26 home games without a loss in the Champions League thanks to their triumph against Real. Surprisingly, Guardiola’s team has triumphed in 24 of them, demonstrating just how dominant they have been in Europe.

City does occasionally suffer home defeats in the Premier League. However, the Etihad has developed into a special location on European evenings, exactly like Anfield. City supporters should be commended for making a lot of noise and should enjoy their day in Istanbul next month.