The English fans greeted their players with streamers, they responded with glitter. The party is likely to continue for a long time in the Mancunian night since Manchester City qualified for the second Champions League final in its history by winning (4-0). As in 2021 against Chelsea, the Premier League leader will be favourites against Inter. And if they reproduce their performance on Wednesday night, it is difficult to see how the cup with big ears could escape them.
Pep Guardiola's players immediately took Madrid by the throat, depriving them of the ball and suffocating them with repetitive strikes. It was the carnival in front of Thibaut Courtois' goal. Walker (4th), Rodri (7th), Stones (12th), Haaland (13th) and Grealish (13th) all tried in the first quarter of an hour. In 2022, during the same poster, at the same stage of the competition, Kevin De Bruyne had scored in the second minute. This time the Citizens had to wait a little longer. The fault to an inspired Belgian goalkeeper, who deployed with great class on a header from Haaland (21st). But of City's 13 strikes in the first half, one had to come in. Bernardo Silva did it. The Portuguese, well served by Kevin De Bruyne, took advantage of a marking error to score with a powerful shot at the near post. Bis repeated at the 37th. This time, the former Monegasque inherits a countered ball to adjust a placed and thoughtful header. Just like the player he is, as Pep Guadriola keeps repeating. It is not for nothing that Paris Saint-Germain has made it its priority for this summer.
DOUBLE FOR BERNARDO SILVA 🌪
Manchester City leads 2-0 against Real Madrid 🥶 #MCIRMA | #UCL pic.twitter.com/hEGmalrDur
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) May 17, 2023
Fourth final for Guardiola
Real Madrid had become accustomed to sharp reactions, Toni Kroos almost continued the tradition of a pure and powerful strike, but he found the crossbar of Ederson (35th). This time Real does not work miracles. Benzema, little seen during this double confrontation, did not play the troublemakers. Neither did Rodrygo. Militao against his side (76th) and Julian Alvarez (90 + 1) destroy the last hopes of the Merengues who lose their first home-and-away encounter in the Champions League since the semi-final against Chelsea in 2021.
MANCHESTER CITY'S 3-0 DEMONSTRATION AGAINST REAL MADRID 🤯 #MCIRMA | #UCL pic.twitter.com/nAuyy5GOtU
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) May 17, 2023
Guardiola will play his fourth C10 final in Istanbul on June 1. The second of the Sky Blues. The first of Herling Haaland who may have the golden ball in a corner of the head. This mix of experience, talent and youth gives an explosive cocktail that rushes straight to a final victory. Especially since the finals in Istanbul do not really succeed for Milan clubs historically. Carlo Ancelotti remembers it (AC Milan's defeat on penalties to Liverpool in 2005).