Man City claim convincing win over Bayern in UCL quarters
You wouldn’t need to be a footballing expert to assume that part of Bayern’s game plan would’ve been to limit any Erling Haaland involvement.
That message didn’t seem to reach Yann Sommer though, who was almost left red-faced when dithering with the ball in his own six-yard box, but fortunately for the Bayern stopper his clearance cannoned off Haaland and away to safety.
Chances were always likely to be few and far between for Bayern, but they created one absolute golden opportunity that fell the way of Jamal Musiala, but his stinging drive was well blocked by Rúben Dias.
That miss was made to look even more costly just moments later when Rodri curled home an absolute peach of a strike on his weaker left foot - not bad for a man who hadn’t scored a UCL goal for City prior to tonight.
Only that moment of brilliance sent Bayern into the break trailing, but whatever Thomas Tuchel said at HT certainly incentivised his side with Leroy Sané twice stinging the palms of Ederson inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
In what was turning into a real humdinger, Sommer was next to be called into action, producing a stunning save to repel an acrobatic Dias effort.
The Bayern stopper was powerless shortly after though, as Dayot Upamecano’s slip up was pounced upon in double-quick time by City before Haaland planted a perfect cross onto the head of Bernardo Silva who made no mistake in doubling the hosts’ advantage.
A third goal for City seemed ominous and it duly arrived 15 minutes from time. No prizes for guessing who grabbed it - that man Haaland eventually got his goal, powering home after John Stones’ deft knockdown to leave City with one foot in the semi-final.
As for Bayern, it’s been a hugely disappointing evening, one which leaves them staring down the barrel of a third successive UCL quarter-final exit.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
