Manchester City have booked their spot in the Champions League final after defeating Real Madrid 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday behind a first half brace from Bernardo Silva. They'll join Inter in Istanbul for Pep Guardiola's chance to win his first Champions League title in charge of the club. Silva was excellent gliding past Eduardo Camavinga to open the scoring in the 23rd minute before following up on Ilkay Gundogan's shot to score the second goal with a header into an open net in the 37th minute. Manuel Akanji technically scored the third goal getting help to pass Thibaut Courtois from Eder Militao to effectively end the contest in the 76th minute. Then Julian Alvarez put the icing on the cake with a fourth goal in stoppage time.
City not needing a goal from Erling Haaland to make it through two legs against Real Madrid shows how dangerous their team attack is going to give Inter quite a few things to think about between now and the final on June 10. The race for the treble is on.
City were able to neutralize Real Madrid over two legs and it really could be their year to win the whole Champions League. Each player has a clear understanding of their role in Guardiaola's 3-2-4-1 and every sub is ready to show why they should be starters. Oh, it also doesn't hurt to have the current best player in the world in Haaland either.
Here are takeaways from the match:
Swiss army Silva
Bernardo is the absolute definition of someone who can perform every role for City. Essentially playing as a wing back in the new formation, he can slot into deeper midfield positions or orchestrate the attack while also providing solid defense. On this day, he showed his attacking side of things putting the team ahead and running the show as Real Madrid focused on the center of the pitch. Completing half of his dribbles, putting three shots on target and winning a tackle, Silva was everywhere.
A moment for Rodri
Real Madrid couldn't get much going through the center of the pitch and part of that is due to carelessness from their attack but a large role was played by Rodri and Kyle Walker on Vinicius Junior. In the second half, Ancelotti slid Vini Jr. into the center of the pitch to get him on the ball since Walker was shadowing him so well, and even then, Rodri kept him quiet for the match. Winning two tackles and getting an interception, Rodri is always deliberate with the ball completing 102 of his 113 passes making sure that Madrid couldn't get much going.
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What's next for Ancelotti?
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez may have affirmed that Ancelotti's final year on his contract would be honored ahead of this tie but this is the type of game that can cause things like that to waver. Linked to the Brazil national team, there are plenty of ways for Ancelotti to exit on his terms if he chooses to do so but there will be plenty of change in Madrid next season even if he returns as manager with an aging midfield meaning new blood could be on the way.
