Manchester City are through to the final of the Champions League after a 4-0 mauling of Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final. Bernardo Silva scored twice in the first half as Pep Guardiola's side overwhelmed the defending champions. Carlo Ancelotti's team tried to rally after the break, but Eder Militao's own goal and Julian Alvarez's stoppage-time finish only reflected the gulf in class. City were looking to reach the final for the second time in three seasons, but they were up against the 14-time champions of Europe. There was an atmosphere to match the occasion, with pyrotechnics as the team bus arrived at the stadium.
The game was one-sided from the first whistle, with Erling Haaland being kept surprisingly quiet by Antonio Rudiger. Vinicius Junior briefly found space behind Kyle Walker, but Toni Kroos came even closer to scoring when striking the crossbar with Madrid's only attempt of the opening 45 minutes. The most critical details in this text are the goals scored by Manchester City in the Europa League quarter-final match against Bayern Munich. The second goal reflected the gulf, Silva nodding after Ilkay Gundogan's shot was blocked. Madrid's best bits were isolated and individual efforts, David Alaba's wicked shot being tipped over by Ederson.
City was slicker, the only surprise being that their third goal was not beautiful. Militao put the ball into his net from Kevin De Bruyne's free-kick. This was a complete performance, possibly even a passing of the baton in European football. Inter await in Istanbul next month, and the likelihood of Inter completing a historic treble is increasing. Ancelotti accepted that City were worthy winners, saying they played better than them last season.
Pep Guardiola was clear when asked where he ranks this performance, calling it the highest. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been reluctant to discuss the possibility of the treble but has conceded that it is natural for it to be in the players' minds as his team closes in on a historic achievement for the club. He has been reluctant to discuss the possibility of the treble but did concede that it was natural for it to be in the players' minds as his team closes in on a historic achievement for the club. One more win in the Premier League will retain that title, and Manchester United await them in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Real Madrid heads to relegation-threatened Valencia on Sunday in La Liga, kick-off at 5.30pm.
