Manchester City booked their place in the Champions League final with a dominant 4-0 win over reigning European Champions, Real Madrid.
The tie was delicately poised after the pair played out a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital last week, though it was Manchester City who started like a steam train.
The Premier League leaders were dominant from the off, with Real Madrid having Thibaut Courtois to thank on a number of occasions for keeping the scores level, the former Chelsea stopper twice making superb reactionary saves to deny Erling Haaland
City finally made one of their chances count in the 23rd minute though, Kevin de Bruyne carving the Real Madrid defence apart with a sublime through ball, picking out the run of Bernardo Silva who smashed past the Belgian at his near post.
Eight minutes before the interval, the Portuguese deservedly made it two. A driving Jack Grealish run into the box was laid off to Ilkay Gundogan, and while the German’s shot was saved, the ball looped up to Silva who nodded home.
Aside from a flying save from Ederson to tip over a David Alaba free-kick, Real Madrid really didn’t look like getting back into the game, and with 14 minutes to play, City confirmed their place to face Inter Milan in the Istanbul final as they made it 3-0. A De Bruyne free-kick from the left was flicked on by Manuel Akanji, before it took a deflection off Eder Militao and beyond Courtois.
Julian Alvarez – seconds after being introduced – made it four in the first minute of stoppage time, the Argentine latching onto a lovely reverse pass from fellow substitute Phil Foden before firing into the bottom corner.
Jack Grealish has created more chances in the 2022/23 Champions League than any other English player has recorded in a single #UCL campaign.
Super Jack breaks Super Frank's record of 34 from 2008/09. ✨#UCL pic.twitter.com/qQ6TSq6CRW
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 17, 2023
The win maintains Manchester City’s hopes of cementing a historic treble, and speaking after the game, Jack Grealish admits the players feel ‘unstoppable’, particularly at the Etihad.
“[It feels] Unbelievable,” he told BT Sport. We spoke last week after the game [in Madrid], I was buzzing then to be involved. Well, not involved, that sounds like a youth team player, but to be in this moment. It’s so nice. A week later, I’m standing here again and it’s 4-0.
“I don’t think a lot of teams would do that to Real Madrid, but when we are all together and we are just playing, especially here [at the Etihad], we just feel unstoppable, honestly.
“I don’t know what it is. I saw a stat today of our Champions League games and I couldn’t believe it. The amount we’ve won at home compared to what we’ve won away. Every game at home we have won.
“When we play here, I don’t know what it is. The fans? Playing on our home pitch? We just feel unstoppable. Even in the league, nobody can beat us. You’ve seen what we’ve done to Bayern Munich, even Leipzig and tonight, unbelievable.”
The England international took his tally to 35 chances created in the Champions League this season, the highest single-season figure of any Englishman in the competition, though he believes he can improve his attacking output further.
Listen to this @JackGrealish anecdote 🥰
From Snapchat memories to qualifying for a Champions League final.
He's on a remarkable journey ✨#UCL pic.twitter.com/HTD1hkRF4C
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
“I am playing well at the moment, I feel confident but I still feel I can get more goals and assists.”
The former Villa man was full of praise for Pep Guardiola, though admitted the final against the Nerrazzurri will be a ‘tough game’
“Every game we play we try to dominate the ball. The manager in there is a genius and I am sure he will tell us where we can hurt them.
“It will be a tough game. They have a lot of experience. You have to be a good team to get to a final and they are a good team so you have to give them respect.”
