SONNA – Manchester City’s treble dream is still alive after booking their place in the Champions League final with a dominant 4-0 victory over Real Madrid.
Bernardo Silva struck twice in the first half before Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez’s late efforts earned City a 5-1 aggregate win to reach their second European final in three years, where they will face Inter Milan.
Here are five talking points from a superb City display at the Etihad.
City’s lightning start
The City faithful were well up for the occasion prior to kick-off and the players duly responded with a purposeful opening that gave them the platform to assert control throughout.
By the time Silva put City in front after 23 minutes, they could easily have been three or four up and out of sight, such was the one-sidedness of the opening stages.
Thibaut Courtois kept Erling Haaland off the scoresheet with two world-class stops from point-blank range but Silva was on hand to provide the killer touch instead.
Brilliant Bernardo
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In a similar vein to Ilkay Gundogan’s exploits in the Premier League of late, Silva produced when it mattered to keep City’s hopes of a historic season well and truly alive.
The 28-year-old made no mistake with his first effort, lashing home after being played through by Rodri before being in the perfect place to scoop up the rebound and head home the second.
Like Gundogan, Silva’s future looks set to be a source of speculation this summer but it was another reminder to Pep Guardiola of the Portuguese maestro’s importance.
Ruthless streak
Guardiola did not need reminding of the dramatic events of last season’s semi-final, which saw City knocked out by two quickfire Real goals in the blink of an eye.
The Catalan’s side were punished for not taking their chances on that occasion but there were no such issues this time around.
The hosts continued to be out for blood even after going two up and while Real certainly had their threatening moments to claw the game back once again, Akanji’s header and Alvarez’s finish guaranteed lightning did not strike twice.
Rudiger regrets
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Given the job Antonio Rudiger did keeping Haaland quiet in the first leg at the Bernabeu, it was a surprise to see the ex-Chelsea man starting from the bench tonight.
Eder Militao — who came in for Rudiger — was unable to replicate the display of their team-mate last week, with the Norwegian left free in the box on numerous occasions.
While he is not the first defender to be run ragged by the 52-goal star this season, you wonder whether boss Carlo Ancelotti may regret not naming the 30-year-old German in his starting team.
The dream lives on
City are looking to become the first English team to complete the treble since Manchester United in 1999 and after tonight’s display, you would not want to bet against them.
The Premier League title is all but sealed after seeing off the challenge of Arsenal, while they will head into an all-Manchester FA Cup final next month as favourites.
And having seen off the Champions League holders in such convincing fashion, it will take a monumental effort from Inter to deny Guardiola’s history chasers in Istanbul.
