The 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal at the Etihad Stadium gave Manchester City complete control of the match.
Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead against the German champions with a long-range curling drive from Rodri. Vn88 said that Bernardo Silva added a second with a header just after the break. Leroy Sane’s many tests of Ederson revealed Bayern’s defensive weakness.
Bayern, and the struggling Dayot Upamecano in particular, began to buckle under City’s onslaught, and Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund took advantage of it by volleying home the third goal.
Although City failed to score their fourth goal, they should still advance to the semifinals despite their struggles in the closing rounds of the game. Rezence showed a stunning display that solidified their position as clear favorites to take home the prize.
The key to Man City’s victory that night
Rain was whipping about the stadium, but Jack Grealish’s intent run immediately perked up the crowd. W88 emphasized that Haaland had two early chances, both on his left foot, although neither were very good.
Midway through the first half, City took the lead on two separate occasions. Ruben Dias made a spectacular save from Ederson after a low drive from Jamal Musiala was destined for the bottom corner of the net. City scored on the other end of the field.
Musiala could not have known what would happen if he had done more to stop Rodri from turning inward. The midfielder aimed his left-footed shot past the far post, but the ball curled so brilliantly that Yann Sommer’s desperate attempts to save it were futile.
According to Vn88 Rezence, the historic omission of the Spanish international from the starting lineup by Guardiola in the 2021 Champions League final loss against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea was less startling here, and it was the German coach who had trouble finding the answers.
Upamecano’s mistake gave City a two-goal lead shortly after Sane came close in a one-on-one fight with Ederson, who saved the German’s three long-range attempts early in the second half.
Grealish, who has been on fire recently, did a fantastic job of dispossessing the defender and then flicking the ball to Haaland. W88 felt that it was just as impressive of the Norwegian to find Silva with the ball as the crowd roared for him to shoot. His header was strong, but Sommer was unable to keep it out.
On the third goal, Upamecano made a less egregious but no less consequential mistake, giving John Stones’ header to Haaland, who tucked it inside the post. He now has 45 goals for the year.
Given how well the Premier League champions performed in front of their own fans, Haaland and his squad might not need another to defeat Bayern in Munich. Manchester City’s prospects for a treble are rising, however there is still much work to be done.
I am completely broken on the inside, Pep.
When W88 Rezence asked about an “easy” victory, Guardiola said: “It was quite unpleasant. I have been completely brokenhearted. A decade has been added to my life. It was a really taxing competition.
“For the majority of the game (about 55-60 minutes), we were on the same footing with them.
“They improved right away in the second half. They were out of our control. However, we made a change, and things improved. This is an unbelievable outcome. So, we need to make things a little bit better in Munich. We’ll give it our best shot.
“I’ve visited that place numerous times. This is an exceptional group, I have no doubt. You need two excellent performances, not one, to defeat these elite groups.”
He continued to share with Vn88: “There’s something I need to tell you about that place. If our performance is poor, they can give us a score of one, two, or three. Both I and the players are aware of this.
“It’s a fantastic win, but we need to play with a lot of character if we want to beat these top clubs and teams.
“At our home stadium, we have a real shot at winning it all this year. We’re rolling right now, we’re clinical, and we have that weapon. But the situation in Munich is the same.
“Whereas I have been there before, you have not. The three years have flown by. While I appreciate the significance for the locals, I am focused on helping my team win the game. It will be very challenging if we don’t.”
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