Manchester City have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals after a 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich at The Etihad Stadium this evening.
In a tie that was billed as a meeting between the two best teams in Europe, there is no doubting who is deserving of that mantle after this game. Pep Guardiola's side were dominant throughout, and barring a ten minute salvo from the visitors at the start of the second half, they always looked likely to win comfortably.
The first half was all City, although they would lead by only one goal at the break thanks to a wonder strike from Rodri.
While Bayern would push for an equaliser just after the interval, the home side soon imposed themselves on the contest once against. Goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland would secure a convincing victory.
45TH GOAL OF THE SEASON 🤪
Erling Haaland puts one foot in the #UCL semi-finals for Man City 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pMeD8Poo9t— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 11, 2023
A top performance.
BT Sport pundits feel Man City targeted Bayern Munich duo
While Manchester City were in irresistible form at times, they were also handed a helping hand by the opposition. The second goal in particular came off the back of a Bayern mistake, with Dayot Upamecano giving the ball away in the buildup to the strike from Silva.
Bernardo Silva's bullet header puts Man City in firm control against Bayern Munich 💥#UCL pic.twitter.com/6LytZCUEWU
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 11, 2023
The French defender looked uncomfortable on the ball last night. The same can be said of goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who despite making some excellent saves, almost cost his team in possession on a number of occasions.
It certainly looked like City targeted those two players in possession, a sentiment echoed by Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, and Joleon Lescott.
Speaking on BT Sport after the game, the punditry trio said it was clear that Guardiola had a plan to exploit the weaknesses of that pair.
Hargreaves: This never happens to Bayern Munich, but you've got to credit Manchester City. Pep always speaks about both boxes, in both boxes they were magnificent. Bayern played with fire the whole game with the way they were defending and the way they were passing out. Credit to Manchester City, they punished them when they made mistakes.
Ferdinand: They forced Bayern into mistakes. The way they forced Bayern to make certain passes and certain decisions, they were setting traps all over the park today. Some of the mistakes you've seen from the Bayern Munich players today, they were made by the way this Manchester City team hunted and pressed them in packs. It was impressive in so many ways.
Hargreaves: I think especially Upamecano and Sommer, they struggled at times. I think Pep knew that. They closed down lanes, forced him to make risky passes. I'll tell you what, they capitalised. Credit to Pep, they had a game plan and it worked beautifully...
Ferdinand: Upamecano was uncomfortable all night, and he was uncomfortable for this reason, the approach (of Manchester City). Upamecano is made to do something instead of playing the easy ball. He has got to travel with the ball, or find a more difficult pass. Look how uncomfortable it becomes for him.
Lescott: That must have been a specific instruction for Upamecano because they seemed to leave him on the ball so many times. His game was indifferent towards the end and he looked so uncomfortable.
It is difficult to see any way back for Bayern Munich in this tie, who will need to produce the most unlikely of comebacks to have any chance of advancing to the semi-finals.
Considering the way Manchester City are playing at the moment, it's difficult not to think that this could be the season in which they finally end their Champions League hoodoo.
SEE ALSO: Bayern Munich Win Will Be A Form Of Retribution For Man City's Pep Guardiola
