From the first moments of tonight's game between Manchester City and Real Madrid, there was very little to suggest that we were about to witness anything than a routine victory for the home side. Carlo Ancelotti's side have a certain mystique about this in the Champions League, but even that wasn't enough on this occasion.
A couple of sensational early Thibaut Courtois saves aside, there was never any doubt about who was going to win the game.
Two goals from Bernardo Silva in the first half left the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half.
Bernardo Silva is leading Man City to Istanbul!! 🔥
The Portuguese star bags his second of the night! 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/k3OxPucX4b— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
While you might have expected Real Madrid to mount a spirited comeback after the interval, the reality was far different.
They never really laid a glove on Pep Guardiola's side, with an Eder Militao 15 minutes before the final whistle putting the result beyond all doubt. Substitute Julian Alvarez would then add a fourth in injury time.
Manchester City are heading to Istanbul!! 🤩
Julian Alvarez makes it 4-0 to the Cityzens! 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/fN4pdodcAD— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
City will now be preparing for a final against Inter next month.
Rio Ferdinand reveals text from Pep Guardiola before Real Madrid win
Manchester City seemed like a team possessed tonight. While they never lack confidence, their self belief was at a whole new level for this fixture.
It seems that came from their manager.
Speaking on BT Sport after the game, Rio Ferdinand revealed that he received a text from Pep Guardiola before the game that foreshadowed a result such as this one.
"Pep Guardiola texted me today saying... believe me, we'll beat them..." 👀
"The confidence to say that 2 or 3 hours before the game!" 🙌@rioferdy5 reveals Pep Guardiola's pre-match predictions today... #UCL pic.twitter.com/7aWYNrxDow— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
It's not just that they've got to the final and overcome something from last year now, it's the way that they got here. They have just destroyed, battered, and pulverised a giant of European football, a team with players that have won multiple Champions League.
They did it at a canter. They did it with ease, with loads in the tank and without even sweating...
I text Pep Guardiola before the game to say good luck. He text me 'believe me, we beat them two years ago and we will beat them again, believe'.
I said 'I believe you, I don't hope you do it'...
The conviction and confidence he had. That was two or three hours before the game and he is sending me a text like that. That is pure confidence in the detail he has gone into leading up to this game and the confidence he has got in those players.
Not a man lacking in confidence.
It would take a brave person to bet against Pep Guardiola and Manchester City finishing off the job in Istanbul in a few weeks time.
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