Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Superb City blast Bayern 3-0 in UCL 1st leg

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 11 April 2023 16:45

Manchester City took a massive step toward the final four of the Champions League after a stirring 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarterfinal at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

On a windy and rainy night in Manchester, the champions of England and Germany produced an engrossing spectacle but it was City that showed the greater quality in the final third to reach the semifinals for a third-straight season as they seek a long-awaited first title.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Rodri broke the deadlock with a fine curling strike for his first Champions League goal on 27 minutes before Bernardo Silva added a second with a header to dampen Bayern's resistance in the 70th minute. As the visitors wilted, City then snatched a potentially decisive third goal six minutes later through the competition's top scorer Erling Haaland.

The match was the first time that Pep Guardiola had faced Bayern Munich since he left the Bavarians to manage City in 2016. It was also a repeat of his contest with new Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel in the 2021 Champions League final when Tuchel's Chelsea side came out on top.

This time, Guardiola came out the decisive victor as City recorded a ninth-straight win in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 34-3

For Bayern, the decision to replace Julian Nagelsmann with Tuchel as coach ahead of the quarterfinals looks not to have paid dividends, at least in the Champions League. Barring a seismic comeback in the second leg in Munich next Wednesday, Bayern will be exiting at the competition's quarterfinal stage for a third successive campaign.

Both teams struggled early on with the blustery conditions and Haaland almost capitalised on some momentary uncertainty in possession as he chased down a back pass to Yann Sommer right in front of the goal-line, only for the Bayern goalkeeper to just about scramble the ball away.

The City dangerman perhaps should have opened the scoring on 22 minutes. A fine City move culminated with Jack Grealish laying it off to Haaland with only the keeper to beat on the edge of the box but his shot was unusually tame and easy for Sommer.

At the other end, Bayern's lack of a natural centre-forward was evident as they struggled to pose a consistent threat to the hosts' backline. Their best opening of the first half came on 26 minutes when former City winger Leroy Sane cut back for Jamal Musiala but Ruben Dias produced a fine block to keep the ball at bay.

Just a minute later, City were in front. After a long passing move, Rodri cut the ball onto his left foot and, invited to shoot, the midfielder took a swing at it on his weaker foot and found the top corner of Sommer's net with a goal as impressive as it was unlikely.

The lead could have been doubled before the break but Sommer, prone on the ground after getting a glove to a deflected cross, stuck out a leg and somehow deflected Ilkay Gundogan's goal-bound shot to safety.

Bayern came out for the second half piling pressure on City as they sought an equaliser to take back to Munich. And Ederson, a spectator in this first half, was suddenly called into action to repel two early efforts from Sane, the second one a fine low stop.

City, though, responded to create a thrilling spectacle and force Sommer to deny shots from Nathan Ake and Dias in quick succession.

Yet it would be Bayern, and particularly defender Dayot Upamecano, who had a big hand in their own downfall as City ran away with the game, and likely the tie, in the final 20 minutes.

First Upamecano allowed himself to be dispossessed by Grealish, who played in Haaland and the Norwegian chipped perfectly to the back post for the on-rushing Silva to head past Sommer.

But it wouldn't be a vintage City showing without Haaland getting a goal of his own. In the 76th minute his moment arrived. After a corner was half-cleared, Silva crossed deep, Stones headed back across the six-yard box and Haaland was, as ever, in the right spot to side-foot home.

With another goal came another record, with this one being the former Borussia Dortmund striker's 45th goal in all competitions this season, the most ever by a Premier League player.

More importantly, though, it gives Man City a huge cushion to take to Bavaria.

Read 237 times

Soccer

Sources: Van Nistelrooy set for Leicester job

Sources: Van Nistelrooy set for Leicester job

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy is in line to...

Bale backs stuttering Mbappé: Still world's best

Bale backs stuttering Mbappé: Still world's best

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Real Madrid star Gareth Bale defended Kylian Mbappé after th...

Carlo: Pen miss shows Mbappé 'lack of confidence'

Carlo: Pen miss shows Mbappé 'lack of confidence'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti said Kylian Mbappé is suffering from "a lack of con...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Injury-plagued Beal hobbles off in loss to Nets

Injury-plagued Beal hobbles off in loss to Nets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Suns guard Bradley Beal limped off the court in the four...

OKC wins but sees Jalen Williams (eye) exit early

OKC wins but sees Jalen Williams (eye) exit early

EmailPrintSAN FRANCISCO -- Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams exited Wednesday's 105-101 win...

Baseball

Dodgers minor leaguer suspended for doping

Dodgers minor leaguer suspended for doping

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jose D. Hernandez was sus...

Crawford, 2-time WS champ with Giants, retires

Crawford, 2-time WS champ with Giants, retires

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Crawford is retiring after 14 major league...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated