Manchester City – Bayern Munich

The Portuguese was one of the best players in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals

He solved a difficult night against one of the best full-backs in the world, Alphonso Davies

Pep Guardiola taught a lesson to Thomas Tuchel in it etihad Stadium. He Manchester City will visit Germany with half a ticket in his pocket for the semifinals of the Champions League after beating Bayern Munich for 3-0. The one from Santpedor made the first hit of the match before it was played, choosing Bernardo Silva in front of Riyad Mahrez on the right wing of the ‘citizen’ attack. The Portuguese’s game was simply impeccable.

The truth is that the first assault of the great clash of the quarterfinals left big names in addition to the Portuguese: Rodri, Ake either Gundogan They shone on a night in which City unhinged Bayern. Although for UEFA, the MVP of the duel was John Stones.

In the first half, with much more control as a result of the fear of compromising the tie early, the class of Rodriwho with a spectacular kick removed the cobwebs from the goal of summer. In the second part, with the game completely broken, Manchester City danced to the Bavarians, who made many mistakes and in the end “only” ended up taking three. Bernardo Silva and Haaland they scored the second and third, respectively.

Key in attack and defense

Bernardo Silva signed a sensational party. And that he had to dance with a complicated partner. Alfonso Davies. An aircraft in attack and in defense. However, the Portuguese embittered the 80 minutes that lasted on the field, when Tuchel replaced it with a I cancel that he etihad greeted with loud boos.

Despite being much slower than the Canadian, the talent and the wide range of technical resources to emerge victorious in tight spaces they kept Davies on a short leash, limited in his adventures down the left lane. Bernardo Silva I was really inspired. He left all the Bavarian defenders with ‘simple’ feints and gave away endless solutions to overcome rivals (including pipes). He completed three of the six dribbles he attempted. Besides, scored the second goal with a great header after a measured center from Haaland. It was a headache for the Bayern defense.

But the goal was the least of it. He also shone in defenseconstantly helping Manuel Akanjilocated on the right side, to stop the incursions of Davies and all the one against one that raised eat and I healed (who were swapping bands during the game). The Portuguese appeared to create superiority in all of City’s defensive actions and kept up the pace throughout the game, as he guardiola just made one change: debruyne by Julian, in the 68th minute. He played 23 duels, of which he won 12 and registered up to eight innings. He only outplayed him five times.

Seeing the level he offered, it is totally understandable that the barca have noticed him. The 28-year-old footballer ends contract in summer 2025 and the club knows the valuation of the Portuguese. Is it the crack that Barça needs?