Manchester City will face Inter Milan in the Champions League final after Pep Guardiola’s side beat Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday, giving them an impressive 5-1 overall victory.
Bernardo Silva scored twice, before an opposing goal by Eder Militao and a late arrival by Julián Álvarez.
17 May 2023 at 18:58 EDT
Manchester City booked their place in the Champions League final after beating Real Madrid 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to two plays from Bernardo Silva, a second-half goal from Eder Militao and a late goal from Julián Álvarez .
Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to win their first European Cup against Inter Milan in June, while continuing their bid for the treble, with the Premier League and FA Cup name also out of reach.
Go below to read our editors discussing the main public speaking issues from a mainstream perspective.
GO FURTHER
Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid: Dominance, genius of Bernardo, and now of Ancelotti and company?
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May 17, 2023 at 6:50 PM EDT
Speaking on Spanish television before the match, Ancelotti said that “if we win, in the final, if we lose, the door”. When the reporter paused for a second, the Italian momentarily clarified that he meant his team was leaving the competition. It’s not that he’s leaving his post as Madrid coach.
The mini-confusion for so many hypotheses about the future of Ancelotti in recent months. Whites preaspectant Florentino Perez ruled out that possibility after Madrid won the Copa del Rey against Osasuna earlier this month, but the Bernabeu hierarchy was not satisfied with how his appearance gave Barcelona. no challenge in LaLiga this year.
Perez has complained that City is owned by Abu Dhabi, so it is highly unlikely that his club will compete financially with them. It would therefore be inconsistent to sack a coach for not being able to beat him in the UCL semi-finals. But Perez is a guy who sets his own rules. And wasting Pep Guardiola will hurt him personally.
Like last year, Ancelotti took Modric and Kroos, needing two goals at the end of the second half. The Croatian, 37, and the German, 33, end their contracts at the end of June, so in theory this may have been their last games for Madrid in the competition.
Both were seen as more likely to renew for a year, but the way City ruled the midfield for long periods with either leg could cause Perez to reconsider pushing harder for Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
Although Karim Benzema, 35, also struggled to influence the match, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner will remain at the Bernabeu next year. He will have a party for some other more sensible striker next year.
May 17, 2023 at 6:40 PM EDT
It was a night that all Real Madrid players will be desperately looking for (seriously, Madrid’s press team will need Geiger counters when scrutinizing the wreckage), but the front three were short.
At his best, Rodrygo is a sophisticated, harassing force, adept at locating small wallets of space. Here he submitted to absence. A deep pass from Karim Benzema his only contribution in the first half and the only wonder that lasted up to 80 minutes before hooking.
Vinicius Junior had some fleeting moments of promise at the start of the second half, getting two City players admonished with waves of goals, but it was a pretty thin mush compared to what we expected. Notably, he passed the final stages of the game. miles from the left wing, a summary as clever as the way Kyle Walker treated him all night.
Benzema is arguably the greatest sadness of all. The Frenchman slightly combined a touch of note throughout the night, being continuously manoeuvred off the ball through Ruben Dias and John Stones. Here are some mitigating points: he has missed 3 of Real’s last 4. League matches due to persistent form problems, but it is irritating to see such a brilliant footballer so far from his prime.
May 17, 2023 at 6:30 PM EDT
Oh, it’Bernard. Es very hard not to wonder how you do it. How do you locate the area so easily, so often, so naturally?A whisper from this left boot to lift the ball over Thibaut Courtois. The ball into the net for the time being. The smallest of the men on the field, dressed in a T-shirt that fits him big.
Seriously, is it just an innate gift? That movement, that appreciation of space, the anticipation of where the ball is going to go. And then calm down to make sure that, if Toni Kroos doesn’t hit in his career, or if Luka Modric stays still like a stalagmite, son isn’t going to get away with it.
This is the first time that Bernardo, with permission to move, models a wonderful instance at will. However, never before has this elusive player been so effective among a Who’s Who of the Champions League elite.
In the procedure we were reminded why Bernardo is Pep Guardiola’s favourite. Take the ball, take care of it, treat it like a friend. Pass it on to a teammate, keep moving forward, have it taken away from you. And repeat. It makes an impact, it resists the lines of the opposition. It’s an undeniable formula, but it also takes something special to overcome it at this level. And Bernardo, clearly, is special.
May 17, 2023 at 6:20 PM EDT
“Having moments of suffering, when you have to endure, is normal,” Carlo Ancelotti said before the match. themselves in.
And the pain that Madrid suffered in the first quarter. City absolutely ruled and Modric and his teammates received a light kick. However, neither Ancelotti nor his team did anything different, they were absolutely passive. saves, and hoped that City’s dominance would finally pass.
After Bernardo Silva opened the scoring, Madrid moved a bit, with Toni Kroos hitting a 25-yard stretch onto the crossbar. But they were complacent again at the back when the Portuguese temporarily put the score at 2-0.
Ancelotti’s side have come out of many difficult situations at this festival in recent seasons. At this level against City last year, they needed two goals within minutes of the end of the current match at the Bernabeu, and despite everything they managed them. progress.
But this time was different, and Madrid’s confidence that they could go through any suffering accompanied them.
17 May 2023 at 18:10 EDT
Bernardo Silva’s first goal hit Real Madrid’s back at 22 minutes and 42 seconds.
Before that, Manchester City had 81% of possession. They had made 202 passes compared to the 28 of the Real. Two City players had made more passes of their own than Real as a team. Vinicius Jr. and Fede Valverde had controlled a pass at this stage. Emerson had discovered a teammate 4 times: only two Real players. I had more than that.
But the numbers do little justice to the visceral excitement of the first 22 minutes and 42 seconds. City charged, delivering precision punches with the speed and intensity of a crazed, pinwheel MMA fighter. It’s an operation of overwhelming force, surprise and amazement, whatever you want to call it.
Thibaut Courtois made at least one miraculous save, had one half of his life and still went into the break 2-0. After the first goal, Vinicius Jr. approached Carlo Ancelotti as if to ask: “What are you waiting for?”What do we do with this?” After the second, Ancelotti stared into the midfield, hand over mouth, the four-time Champions League winner absolutely lost. Real Madrid had no idea what to do.
“It’s nothing special,” Guardiola said before the match, referring to his attacking plans. In a sense, it tells the truth, because the theory here is not confusing or complex. In another, it’s as special as it sounds, because who else can do that?
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May 17, 2023 at 6:05 PM EDT
Pep Guardiola, whose looks surpassed Real Madrid in every single way tonight, shared his thoughts with BT Sport after the game.
“At home, we feel incredibly in front of our people,” said the two-time Champions League winning coach.
“I felt like we were scared of what happened last season, but we came out with everything we had.
“Last season was very painful and other people say it’s a lack of character, but a year later we’re showing how special those players are.
“Congratulations to our president, our owner and all the remaining people (at the club) because they are racing with a genuine goal and now we are (finalists). “
17 May 2023 at 18:01 EDT
Dani Carvajal, who had a torrid night with Jack Grealish, spoke to the Spanish media after the match.
“We faced a bigger opponent than us in this match. They have outplayed us,” said the Real Madrid right-back.
“We can recognise that City were better, we were missing something. It wasn’t the attitude that we lacked, but we got too carried away. In the middle moment, we had our most productive moments.
“We knew City were very strong at home, but after the first leg we felt we could be better here, better with the ball.
We are Madrid, we will come back more powerful and we will work hard next season to return to this level of the tournament”.
(All images via Getty Images)
17 May 2023 at 17:57 EDT
Speaking after the defeat, Carlo Ancelotti spoke of the doubts about his permanence at Real Madrid: “Nobody doubts. The president quite transparent 15 days ago (in public). No one has any doubts. “
On whether the president also told him privately that he would continue: “What the president told me in private, I probably wouldn’t say here. “
(All images via Getty Images)
GO FURTHER
Carlo Ancelotti believes he will be in the season of Real Madrid ‘without a doubt’
17 May 2023 at 17:52 EDT
Carlo Ancelotti spoke about his team’s shortcomings in this match: “We played against an opponent who deserved to win tonight because they played with more intensity and quality. In the first half they built a game to reach the final. They were amazing and we were amazing last year, it can take you to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
“Obviously, we didn’t do what we planned. We did very well last year and we did very well this year, but we didn’t have the ability to succeed in the final. “
On whether there is a lack of attitude: “No, I don’t need to communicate about the attitude. They were bigger than us. “
On his assessment of the season: “It’s been an intelligent season, I hope we can finish it well. Reaching a Champions League semi-final is a success, we do it 4”.
May 17, 2023, 5:45 p. m. EDT
Vinicius Junior has the ability to win games on his own, but tonight was not one of the games in which Kyle Walker neutralized the Brazilian full-back’s risk.
Walker spoke to BT Sport after the match: “The boys dug well and controlled the ball, especially in the first half. The moment a little sloppy, giving the ball in spaces where we should not yet. We crossed the line and that’s the important thing. “
During the attack against Vinicius Jr, he added: “It’s incredible. You have to have a bit of arrogance like the attackers have, go toe-to-toe with him. I think I’m faster than him and I can use my physical domain. “.
“These guys can put the ball in the net. Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. There is no outstanding superstar and not having other people like (Real Madrid depends on Vinicius Jr) makes us very difficult to manage. “
(All images via Getty Images)
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17 May 2023 at 17:38 EDT
Jack Grealish spoke to BT Sport after the match: “It’s incredible, we talked after the (first leg) and then I hummed. To be in this moment is very nice, a week later I’m here and it’s 4-0.
“I don’t think many groups can do that at Real Madrid, when we are all combined and we are playing, especially (at home), we feel unstoppable, I don’t know what it is.
“Every game we play, we try to dominate the ball. We know (Inter) is going to be a difficult game, you don’t get to the final without being an intelligent team. “
May 17, 2023, 5:33 p. m. EDT
The Champions League final will be played at Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
Liverpool fans know this position all too well, as it was the site of their remarkable 3-0 comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 final.
This is the third time UEFA has attempted to level the final in Turkey in recent years after it had to move to 2020 and 2021, to Lisbon and Porto respectively, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
There were rumours that he would once again be moved this season as UEFA was concerned about civil unrest in Istanbul following the Turkish presidential election.
Portugal was noted as the replacement for the third time, UEFA insisted it planned to host the Champions League in Istanbul as planned.
(All images via Getty Images)
GO FURTHER
Manchester City vs Inter Milan, Champions League final: Everything you want to know
May 17, 2023, 5:29 p. m. EDT
The Champions League final will be played on Saturday, June 10.
As the best fit in UEFA’s calendar, it is the last to be played in Europe’s top leagues.
Take position a week and a half after the Europa League final and 3 days after the Europa League Conference final.
(All images via Getty Images)
May 17, 2023, 5:22 p. m. EDT
Pep Guardiola reached the Champions League final for the fourth time as a manager, where he has a 2-1 record. He follows his counterpart tonight in terms of appearances in the final:
Coaches with the most appearances in the Champions League final
(All images via Getty Images)
May 17, 2023, 5:18 p. m. EDT
The 2023 Champions League final will be the first competitive meeting between Manchester City and Inter Milan.
This is the first time a team between two teams has reached the Champions League final since Liverpool faced AC Milan in 2005.
Like the 2005 final, this year’s final will be held in Istanbul. Will we see such a mythical match?
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May 17, 2023, 5:13 p. m. EDT
Manchester City are now unbeaten in their last 23 matches, winning 19 and drawing four. This race coincides perfectly with the Premier League accusing City of more than a hundred breaches of the rules.
Their last defeat was against Tottenham on 5 February. The charges were set a day later and City have since lost.
It is quite conceivable that a siege mentality at the club propelled them to triumph in the treble they are so close to achieving now.
May 17, 2023, 5:12 p. m. EDT
Bernardo Silva, Manchester City’s hero and player of tonight’s match, has just spoken to BT Sport. “It’s a wonderful night for us, we knew it was going to be difficult to beat Real Madrid 4-0 at home. A glorious, glorious feeling,” he said.
“Our fans came back once today and gave us the impetus to continue in Madrid. At the beginning of the half of the moment, they pushed us and may have scored, but we were very resilient, passionate and organized. We are very satisfied with this performance.
“My performance in the first leg was not very smart and I looked to make up for it. I am very satisfied with the attendance (to the team) today.
On Inter Milan, Manchester City’s opponents in the Champions League final, he added: “Inter is a very organised team, very organised in counters and set-pieces.
“We will be as productive as we can to deliver trophies to our people. “
(All images via Getty Images)
May 17, 2023, 5:09 p. m. EDT
As if tonight was not enough for him, Pep Guardiola has also just had the third coach to achieve one hundred victories in the Champions League.
He joins tonight’s defeated opposing parties Carlo Ancelotti (107) and Alex Ferguson (102).
(All images via Getty Images)
May 17, 2023, 5:09 p. m. EDT
LOW:
Team statistics
ICM
ARM
sixteen
Shooting
7
8
Shoot the target
3
14
Opportunities created
5
7
Corners
3
3
Saves
4
59,4 %
Possession
40,6 %
Offside
sixteen
Failures
14
3
Yellow cards
2
Red cards
Game Details