THUR, MAY. 18 2023-theGBJournal |Manchester City have booked their spot in the final of the Champions League to face Inter Milan as they dismantled incumbent champions Real Madrid a whopping 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final at the Etihad Stadium.
Inter Milan have progressed to the Champions League final courtesy of a 1-0 victory their fourth win this season, and a 3-0 semi-final aggregate victory over city rivals AC Milan, Inter secured a 1-0 win in the second leg, with captain and world cup-winning player Lautaro Martinez scoring the only decisive goal in the 74th minute to seal the victory.
Man City entered the match with a 1-1 tie after the first leg at the Bernabeu and knew a positive and dominating performance was needed to eliminate Real Madrid, Madrid’s starting line-up had some shock changes, while City’s line-up was expected.
City started the first half on fire with a first-half brace from Bernardo Silva, but Madrid struggled to contain City and had little of the ball.
The second half didn’t get better despite changes, and an own goal from Eder Militao and a late Julian Alvarez effort saw the Premier League champions run out 5-1 winners on aggregate.
Pep Guardiola’s side, which is on course to win the treble this term, will face Italian team Inter Milan in the final of the competition in Istanbul on June 10, a week after facing Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Man City, who are hoping to win their first Champions League title, will hope to retain the Premier League title as they need a win when they play host to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, while Real Madrid will return to La Liga action away to Valencia on Sunday night.
Real Madrid’s season goes crashing down.
From favorites to win the league double to just ending the season with the league cup, Madrid’s season hasn’t been what they expected.
They lost the league to Barcelona without a fight and were eliminated scandalously against a City side they were expected to be even matched. Madrid fans would be feeling dejected as the season went. They needed the Champions League to have a better season than their rivals, but with this loss, Barcahas a better season, winning the league.
Pep’s tactics pays off.
Manchester City players in a 3-4-2-1 using Grealish and B Silva as wing backs offered creativity, stability, and solidity. The two of them worked hard, helping the defense, while they were also offering creativity.
They were involved in all City attacks and defense, their ability to be a tear-up defense was handy as they gave Madrid fullbacks terror their positional play was also perfect, which showed when Silva got his second goal.
Grealish has grown from being one of the major transfer flops last season to a versatile City star boy, his contribution off the ball has really helped him this season, and his ability to also create chances has reduced the burden on KDB sometimes.
Jack Grealish has created more chances in the 2022–23 Champions League than any other English player has recorded in a single #UCL campaign.
Super Jack breaks Super Frank’s record of 34 from 2008/09
Bernardo has been known for his work ethics he also knows how to turn up occasionally, and his brace was vital he has been close to leaving City several times and is rumored to leave at the end of the season, what a parting gift this would be.
Rodri has also been a glue in this team he is the inside wire that makes electronics function, yet they are not seen. City has played this way because of the detailed and calm presence he brings to the team; he links both defense and attack, and he is one of their best players.
Rodri had more touches (124) than Vinícius Júnior (39), Karim Benzema (37) and Rodrygo (33) combined
Ancelotti too rigid?
When the line-up was announced and there was no Rudiger, it was quite a surprise as Rudiger was instrumental in the first leg.
Ancelotti has issues rotating players and would rather play his trusted players than players on form.
In this semi-final the approach was wrong, also playing without a recognized DM was a criminal offense, he performed well last season but has had an average season, will he stay next season ? and if he does, will he change his approach?
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