Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid: Manchester City has qualified for the Champions League final for the second time in its history. Pep Guardiola’s team made a big impression on Wednesday against Real Madrid, especially in the first half, which was eventually defeated 4-0. The final battle between City and Internazionale will take place on June 10.
Manchester City blows away Real Madrid and goes to the CL final
Real and City had balanced each other (1-1) last week and only one new name appeared at the kick-off compared to that game. Antonio Rüdiger received many compliments after the first leg for reining in Erling Haaland, but now had to give up his spot in the Real defense to Éder Militão. He could not prevent Haaland from having two big header opportunities in the first part of the game.
City put pressure on Real from the first moment. Rodri had already shot wide from a promising position before Haaland headed Courtois from close range. The second chance for the Norwegian goal machine was also a header: this time Courtois kept his goal clean with an unparalleled save. However, he must also have felt that the opening goal from the dominant City simply could not be missed. After a through ball from Kevin De Bruyne, Silva pulled the trigger: 1-0.
Real may have hoped that the English storm would die down after this, but it didn’t. The visitors actually showed themselves a bit after half an hour, including a rock-hard long shot from Toni Kroos on the crossbar, but City remained in charge on the field. The 2-0 came nine minutes before the break: after a shot from Ilkay Gündogan was blocked, Silva scored the second of the evening with his head. Thus, City rewarded itself for a particularly impressive first act.
Highest percentage of possession in the first half of a CL game in the last ten years: 72% by Man City
Today. Against Real Madrid. In the semifinals. In the second half Real did its best to fight back. A free kick from David Alaba was treacherous, but was converted into a corner by Ederson. Although Real had more ball possession after the break. Than in the first half; it did not lead to more opportunities. Karim Benzema did not appear in the piece on Wednesday evening, Kyle Walker played a strong match against Vinícius Júnior.
City successfully stopped and in the meantime lurked for opportunities to come out dangerous again. Haaland was able to close the game after a heel from Gündogan. But again encountered Courtois, who saw the ball hit the top of the crossbar via his leg. Shortly afterwards, the decision still fell, when Militao scored an own goal with fifteen minutes left: 3-0.
Ederson prevented Dani Ceballos from saving Madrid’s honor and Julian Álvarez then completed Real’s punishment in stoppage time. The substitute from Haaland made it 4-0 after a great through ball from Phil Foden. Álvarez was only on the field for just a minute or two.
For Los Blancos, after previously missing out on the national title, it has become a failed season. Real won the Copa del Rey, but that is not what was bet on beforehand. Guardiola’s City, meanwhile, remains in the race for the treble. In addition to the Champions League, the FA Cup and national title are also in sight for the light blue football machine.
