Manchester City are still searching for their first-ever Champions League trophy.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, last won it in 2020, with their new boss – Thomas Tuchel – winning it with Chelsea the following year.
As a result, a tough outing was expected for Man City at the Etihad.
When all was said and done in the quarter-final clash, Manchester City came out on top.
Erling Haaland nearly opened the scoring 13 minutes in when he closed down Yann Somer who took too long to get the ball out of his feet, but the Swiss keeper escaped.
Some quick link-up play led to the Haaland getting his first shot off 21 minutes in but the Norweigan took his effort too early despite having more space than he probably thought he did.
But just as Bayern looked to be threatening, Rodri went up the other end and bent a stunning strike past Sommer to put City in front.
RODRI’S FIRST-EVER #UCL GOAL 🤯
Unreal strike from the Man City midfielder 🚀 pic.twitter.com/u7F8p3uQna
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 11, 2023
City should have had a second 33 minutes in after some confusion in the box saw the ball fall to a free Ilkay Gundogan but Sommer made a top save.
Bayern started the second 45 on top, with Leroy Sane causing a lot of issues down City’s right, forcing several good saves out of Ederson. Ake and Dias also had to make some big blocks to keep Bayern at bay.
Manchester City then began to dominate the match midway through the second half, with Sommer forced into action to save from Ake and tip an effort over the bar.
However, the Sky Blues were dealt a big blow 67 minutes in as Kevin De Bruyne was forced off due to injury.
Bayern, meanwhile, brought on Sadio Mane to try and capitalise on the chances they continued to have.
Less than a minute after Mane came on, though, City added a second. Upamecano made another error, which allowed Grealish to slip in Haaland who crossed to Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese was free in the box and headed past Sommer.
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
Substitute Julian Alvarez nearly added a third for the Manchester outfit with 15 minutes to go but Sommer got down to save. However, it took City just a minute after that chance to get their third. John Stones headed a pass across the box for Erling Haaland to kill off the game and potentially the tie.
Player ratings
Manchester City
- GK: Ederson (7)
- RB: John Stones (7)
- CB: Manuel Akanji (6.5)
- CB: Ruben Dias (8)
- LB: Nathan Ake (7)
- CDM: Rodri (7.5)
- CM: Kevin De Bruyne (6)
- CM: Ilkay Gundogan (6)
- RW: Bernardo Silva (7.5)
- ST: Erling Haaland (7.5)
- LW: Jack Grealish (7.5)
Substitutes
- Julian Alvarez (4.5)
Bayern Munich
- GK: Yann Somer (5)
- RB: Benjamin Pavard (6)
- CB: Dayot Upamecano (4)
- CB: Mathijs De Ligt (6)
- LB: Alphonso Davies (5)
- CDM: Leon Goreztzka (6)
- CDM: Joshua Kimmich (7.5)
- CAM: Jamal Musiala (6)
- RW: Leroy Sane (7)
- ST: Serge Gnabry (5.5)
- LW: Kingsley Coman (5.5)
Substitutes
- Sadio Mane (3)
- Thomas Muller (3)
- Joao Cancelo (3)
Match report
There’s a big-game atmosphere in here. City having the better of it, but there have been flashes from Bayern
— James Robson (@jamesalanrobson) April 11, 2023
Sommer nearly give it to Haaland to score 😱 pic.twitter.com/oYQbggPHgL
— FansArena (@FansArena4) April 11, 2023
Nathan Ake has become almost unbeatable 1v1. Incredible to watch
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) April 11, 2023
That looked like a goal for Musiala if not for Dias. Brilliant block
— James Robson (@jamesalanrobson) April 11, 2023
A world class block saves a goal for Man City and a world class finish scores one a few minutes later. That’s Europe’s elite competition.
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) April 11, 2023
Guardiola spent the entire half doing intensive one to one coaching with John Stones. He’s going to wheel the bowling machine out in a bit
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) April 11, 2023
Upamecano seemingly incapable of going an entire match without at least one brain fart.
— Stefan Bienkowski (@SBienkowski) April 11, 2023
De Bruyne seems uncomfortable but the injury doesn’t appear to be anything serious!
— MCFC_SamMJDavies (@MCFC_Sam320) April 11, 2023
Grealish and Bernardo have both been superb tonight. That mistake been coming from Upamecano – been awful in this second half. Great from Grealish to muscle in and lovely back heel for Haaland. He stands up a superb cross that Bernardo powers home with a header. 2-0 #mcfc
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) April 11, 2023
Still a little longer tonight (and a lot longer in the tie), but I think this is the best I’ve ever seen Manchester City play
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) April 11, 2023
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