Champions League: Manchester City in the final – Real Madrid goes under

Alone record for Ancelotti

With a show of force, the English champions Manchester City dethroned the “Royal” and reached the final of the Champions League. Coach Pep Guardiola’s exhilarating team celebrated an impressive 4-0 (2-0) win in the second leg of the semi-finals on Wednesday evening against a largely helpless defending champion Real Madrid – the 100th success for the Spanish coach in the “premier class”. It is only City’s second appearance in a final, in 2021 the club lost the final against Chelsea.

Bernardo Silva (23rd and 37th minute) scored twice within a quarter of an hour for the conqueror of RB Leipzig and FC Bayern, among others. According to corrected information from UEFA, goal number three went to Manuel Akanji – initially it was an own goal by Reals Éder Militão (76th). The final point was set by Julián Álvarez (90+1). When asked if it was a bitter slap, Madrid’s German midfield star Toni Kroos replied to the “DAZN” streaming service: “Yes, definitely.” They lost the game in the first 20, 25 minutes. As in the first leg, they were too passive.

After the 1-1 draw in the first leg in Madrid, the City revenge for the bitter end in the semi-finals a year ago against the 14-time title holder was perfect. Led by captain Ilkay Gündogan, who was substituted shortly before the end to great applause, Manchester meet Inter Milan in Istanbul on 10 June, who had beaten city rivals AC.

Whether it made sense to do without Antonio Rüdiger in the Real starting eleven after his strong performance against City superstar Erling Haaland in the first leg was doubtful after the first few minutes. Real was under constant pressure – and the Norwegian football violence played its part. Even without a goal. On the sidelines, Ancelotti abused his chewing gum early on in his 191st Champions League game as coach, with which he is now the sole record holder ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson. Colleague Guardiola waved and waved his arms. A duel of the giants also on the edge.

City have not suffered a defeat in the Champions League for 25 home games in a row. But not losing would not be enough. A win was needed. And that’s how the English champion performed. Guardiola trusted the same starting XI as in the first leg. Fast, agile, technically well-versed, garnished with power and wild determination – Manchester City really showed Real.

Only keeper Thibaut Courtois had the “Royal” to thank for the fact that everything was decided after less than half an hour. The two-meter man from Belgium saved twice artistically against Haaland (13/21). Courtois was powerless when Silva, who was completely unprotected and perfectly served by Kevin De Bruyne, shot from around twelve meters. The defense around Militão, who had moved into the starting line-up for Rüdiger after his yellow card suspension in the first leg, allowed them to do so.

Bernardo Silva is cooking and it smells like Finale #DAZNmoment #UCL #MCIRMA #CityReal pic.twitter.com/haIVTiaLLt

— DAZN DE (@DAZN_DE) May 17, 2023

Kroos showed how dangerous the defending champion can be in such a phase thanks to his individual special class. In the 35th minute, the ex-world champion took aim, well over 20 meters from goal. But the ball only hit the crossbar. The ball landed in the goal a little later on the other side. This time Gündogan was involved, his shot was deflected, the rebound landed on Silva. Goal number two for the 28-year-old Portuguese.

Silva with more feeling in her head than others in her feet #DAZNmoment #UCL #MCIRMA #CityReal pic.twitter.com/CpkXSWm0Gf

— DAZN DE (@DAZN_DE) May 17, 2023

So Real had to make up two goals to at least save themselves in extra time. And Kroos tried to rouse his team-mates before Ancelotti surprisingly took him out of the game with 20 minutes remaining. Ederson deflected a dangerous free-kick from team-mate David Alaba over the crossbar. Real was definitely more present than in the first 45 minutes. But that was far from enough.

A year ago they lost 4-3 in Manchester, won the second leg in Madrid 3-1 and also defeated Liverpool FC in the final. It was Kroos’ fifth triumph at the time, he had won the Champions League once with Bayern and four times with Real. There will no longer be a fifth title with the “Royal” this season. In return, compatriot Gündogan can continue to hope to hold the handle pot with City in his hands for the first time – and also as the first thanks to the captaincy.

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