Manchester City largely dominated Real Madrid this Wednesday, May 17 at the Etihad Stadium, with a double from Bernardo Silva, an own goal from Eder Militao and an achievement from Alvarez (4-0). The Citizens join Inter Milan for the final which will take place on June 10 in Istanbul.
Who to join Inter in the final? In the first leg, the two teams left in a draw (1-1) at the Santiago Bernabeu. De Bruyne had replied to Vinicius. Manchester City, who have qualified just once in their previous four Champions League semi-final appearances, enter the encounter with rage in their stomachs.
In the 7th minute, Rodri eliminates Kroos then Modric, enters the area and shoots from the right. His shot too crossed shaves the right amount of Courtois. A few minutes later, the Madrid goalkeeper is on parade to avoid the opener, after a header from Erling Haaland. Courtois pushes the ball back on his line (13′).
“ I still believe that a goalkeeper should know how to use his hands better than his feet. But he does both very well. Courtois has enormous qualities. It’s a chance to have a goalkeeper like him said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. And the public at the Etihad Stadium can once again realize the importance of Courtois as he once again saves the White House after a new header from Haaland (21st).
Double for Silva
But City, which has dominated the proceedings since the first minute, finally opens the scoring with a powerful strike from Bernardo Silva, who comes alone against Courtois and deceives him with a shot from the left (23rd). The Portuguese then doubled the bet by depositing a ball with his head in the small net after 37 minutes of play. The European champions took another blow on the head even if Toni Kroos touched the crossbar two minutes earlier for the first shot of Real. Without Courtois’ two fantastic saves, Karim Benzema’s team-mates would have been largely sunk before the end of the first half.
On returning from the locker room, Real woke up a bit, but did not know what to do with the ball, and Pep Guardiola’s men continued to stifle their opponents. In the 73rd minute, Haaland comes alone and shoots from the right, but his shot is cleared for a corner by the knee of Courtois, still decisive.
Real will suffer two more blows. In the 76th minute, after a free kick beautifully taken by De Bruyne and deflected by the knee of Madrid’s Militao who scored against his side. The Citizens’ fourth goal is signed Julian Alvarez, superbly served by Phil Foden. The Argentinian striker finds himself alone against Courtois, whom he easily adjusts from the right (90th + 1). The ordeal ends for Real.
City, still looking for a first crown in C1, remains in the running for a Championship-Cup-Champions League treble this season.