Manchester City put three past Bayern Munich and one foot in Champions League semi-finals
You wouldn’t need to be a footballing expert to assume that part of Bayern’s game plan would’ve been to limit any Erling Haaland (22) involvement. That message didn’t seem to reach Yann Sommer (34) though, who was almost left red-faced when dithering with the ball in his own six-yard box, but fortunately for the Bayern stopper his clearance cannoned off the Norwegian and away to safety.
Chances were always likely to be few and far between for the visitors, but they created one absolutely golden opportunity that fell the way of Jamal Musiala (20), who saw his stinging drive well blocked by Ruben Dias (25).
Bayern paid the price for that miss just moments later when Rodri (26) curled home an absolute peach of a strike on his weaker left foot - not bad for a man who hadn’t scored a Champions goal for City prior to tonight.
Only that moment of brilliance sent Bayern into the break trailing, but whatever Thomas Tuchel said at half-time certainly incentivised his side with Leroy Sane (27) twice stinging the palms of Ederson (29) inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half. In what was turning into a real humdinger, Sommer was next to be called into action, producing a stunning save to repel an acrobatic Dias effort.
The Bayern stopper was powerless shortly after though, as Dayot Upamecano’s slip-up was pounced upon in double-quick time by City before Haaland planted a perfect cross onto the head of Bernardo Silva (28) who made no mistake in doubling the hosts’ advantage.
A third goal for City seemed ominous and it duly arrived 15 minutes from time. No prizes for guessing who grabbed it - that man Haaland eventually got his goal, powering home after John Stones’ (28) deft knockdown to leave City with one foot in the semi-final.
As for Bayern, it was a hugely disappointing evening, one which leaves them staring down the barrel of a third successive Champions League quarter-final exit.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
