Saturday

May 18th , 2024

FOLLOW US
pc

Owusu Gideon

A year ago

MANCHESTER CITY THRASH REAL MADRID TO REACH CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

featured img
Sports

A year ago

Manchester City have reached the Champions League final after thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 on a night which went better than they could possibly have hoped.


Pep Guardiola's side ran the show and made their superiority felt from start to finish.


The opening paces were played at a frenetic pace as Manchester City looked to impose themselves and get into a rhythm, while the visitors attempted to press aggressively within their own half and not allow the Citizens' attacking players time on the ball.


Los Blancos - in all black tonight - however, allowed Rodri and John Stones time on the ball, with the crowd egging them on to try and shoot.


Taking the bait, Stones fired a couple of efforts harmlessly wide, while Rodri went closer, albeit dragging his effort wide after swerving his way into the box.


Madrid's choice to sit back was always going to present a risk, though, and a big chance fell to Haaland within the first 15 minutes when Jack Grealish picked him out with a cross.


The Norwegian's header was somehow blocked and cleared off the line and Carlo Ancelotti breathed a sigh of relief.


It was almost midway through the first period before the Spanish side put together a meaningful series of passes and the sight of Luka Modric backheeling the ball out for a throw in deep in his own half epitomised their frustrations in the opening stages.


In the 20th minute Courtois once again denied Haaland from close range to keep the tie level. This time it was even more impressive, the Belgian seeming to twist in mid air to change direction and get a strong hand to Haaland's header, tipping it to safety.


A couple of minutes later, however, the breakthrough came and it was already feeling inevitable, such was the pressure City were putting the away side under.


A carefully weighted Kevin De Bruyne pass unlocked the defence and found Bernardo Silva, who sent Courtois the wrong way, smashing it into the back of the net at his near side.


Madrid did rally a little after going behind, perhaps inspired by Karim Benzema's pep talk in a huddle before the restart, and almost got back into it out of nowhere about 10 minutes later.


Toni Kroos from at least 25 yards out decided to let rip and his shot would have probably sailed into the net had Ederson not got a fingertip to it, diverting it onto the crossbar.Manchester City will be going to Istanbul in June to face Inter, who will be playing in their sixth final and hoping for a fourth title.


As impressive as the Italians were in dispatching city rivals Milan, this could be City's biggest chance yet to finally get their hands on the one major trophy that still eludes this project.

Meet the Author


PC
Owusu Gideon

Blogger

follow me

INTERSTING TOPICS


Connect and interact with amazing Authors in our twitter community