Oh my days, it’s deja vu all over again as Manchester City is set to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League semis for the second year straight! Their spot was secured after Erling Haaland’s goal secured a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, resulting in a 4-1 aggregate last-eight win.
Haaland may have missed a first-half penalty, but he muscled his way upfield midway through the second half, lashing the ball past Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer for his 48th goal in 41 appearances this season. Meanwhile, Bayern had a second-half goal disallowed for offside and scored a late penalty through Joshua Kimmich. But, as usual, they were haunted by their inability to make possession and chances count.
City, under the helm of their manager Pep Guardiola, will play in the semis for the third consecutive year. But this time, they will be facing Guardiola’s old foe Real Madrid, who stunned the world with two injury-time goals in the previous season to turn the tie their way and eventually win the title.
Interestingly, Guardiola received criticisms at the European level for tinkering with his side. However, for this match, he named the same XI that won the first leg 3-0 in Manchester. On the other hand, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made two changes, opting for the creativity of City loanee winger Joao Cancelo and bringing back Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, the only recognized striker in the squad.
Bayern, hoping to replicate the miraculous comebacks of Liverpool and Barcelona, which started with an early goal, went on the attack from the outset. Former City star Leroy Sane got past goalkeeper Ederson after 17 minutes but chipped just wide. Bayern received a massive let-off a minute later thanks to a narrow offside call against Haaland.
Dayot Upamecano, who received criticisms for his nervous performance in the first leg, saw red for bringing down Haaland with the goal in sight. However, the card was immediately rescinded. Tuchel, who was animated throughout the match, received a yellow card for exchanging words with the assistant referee while theatrically applauding the decision.
Bayern’s lack of confidence and fluidity up front was evident just minutes later when Sane, one-on-one with Ederson with the goal in sight, cut the ball back to an off-balance Leon Goretzka. Upamecano was in the thick of it again with 35 minutes gone, handballing in the box, bringing Haaland to the spot in front of the home ultras. The Norwegian, however, blasted over, only his third miss from 36 penalty attempts, and his first miss for City.
But Haaland redeemed himself after 57 minutes when he slipped past Upamecano, blasted past Sommer, and into the goal to cap off a length-of-the-field City move. Bayern had the ball in the net after 73 minutes, but French teenager Mathys Tel’s goal was ruled out for offside. With seven minutes left, Kimmich converted from the spot after a Manuel Akanji handball.
The winner of the City-Real match will face either AC or Inter Milan in the final. As for Bayern, the recriminations will begin on and off the field after City’s dominant display, with a frustrated Tuchel sent to the stands for picking up a second yellow in the final minutes.
It’s certainly not Ronaldo’s day as he was upstaged by another former Manchester United forward. Meanwhile, it’s not quite the American dream for Chelsea as they are feeling the blues. Haaland made up for his error after 57 minutes when he slipped past Upamecano, blasted past Sommer and into the goal to cap off a length-of-the-field City move.
Bayern had the ball in the net after 73 minutes but French teenager Mathys Tel’s goal was ruled out for offside.
With seven minutes left, Kimmich converted from the spot after a Manuel Akanji handball. The winner of the City-Real tie will face either AC or Inter Milan in the final. For Bayern, the recriminations will begin on and off the field after City’s dominant display, with a frustrated Tuchel sent to the stands for picking up a second yellow in the final minutes.
Bayern sacked manager Julian Nagelsmann in favour of Tuchel despite an eight from eight record in the Champions League this season but have since been eliminated from Europe and the German Cup.
