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Football | Champions League 2023 | Semi-Finals Second Leg | Roundup

Robert Wheeler
Football

By Robert Wheeler

  • Man City thrash Real Madrid
  • Bernardo Silva scores twice
  • They will face Inter in the final
MANCHESTER, UK – Manchester City put in a dominant display to defeat Real Madrid 4-0, which booked their place in the final, where they will play Inter Milan.

 

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Silva too good for Real

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Going into this match at 1-1, Manchester City had a slight advantage in that the return leg was at home. However, no one could have expected the dominant performance of Pep Guardiola‘s side, which saw them put four past Real Madrid. A 5-1 aggregate win would not have been the prediction of the most optimistic of City fans but their team have done it and are now chance one game away from finally getting their hands on the Champions League trophy.

City came out the blocks in inspired form with an array of chances which saw Rodri shoot wide, Erling Haaland had a header cleared off the line and the Norwegian forced Thibaut Courtois to make a miraculous save. They eventually took the lead when Kevin De Bruyne played in Bernardo Silva who smashed in from close range.

Toni Kroos came close to an equaliser but his shot from range came back off the post. Guardiola’s side doubled their advantage as Silva got his second through his header which found the back of an open net.

Carlo Ancelotti‘s side could only fathom chances from a distance, David Alaba came close from a free-kick. However, Ederson was equal to his strike. Haaland then hit the crossbar before Manuel Akanji made it three as he headed in from a De Bruyne cross.

Haaland surprisingly did not get on the scoresheet but his replacement Julian Alvarez did. The Argentine swept in from a Phil Foden pass to complete the rout.

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Jack Grealish was very pleased with his team’s performance and told BT Sport after the game “When we’re all together and playing, especially here, we just feel unstoppable.”
It is difficult to see Ancelotti carrying on as Madrid’s manager after the manner of this defeat. He has been linked with taking over at the Brazilian national team. Thierry Henry on CBS Sports echoed these rumours, “I think he will go to Brazil” said the former Arsenal player.

The night was all about Guardiola’s side, who now have the chance to go down as one of the all-time greats. They can wrap up the Premier League this weekend and can look forward to the Champions League and FA Cup finals. If they manage to do the treble and become the first team since Manchester United to do it, then this City side would have marked their place in history.

Inter defeated Milan 3-0 on aggregate and they will be City’s opponents in the final. The Italian side has former City player Edin Dzeko in their ranks. Dzeko scored on the final day of the 2011/12 Premier League season when Roberto Mancini‘s side won the league for the first time. His story with the Manchester club may not be over yet.

Manchester City will play Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul on June 10, kick-off at 20:00.