Manchester City overpowered Champions League heavyweights Real Madrid to book their place in next month’s final with a stunning 5-1 aggregate victory over the La Liga side.
City have lost two previous semi-finals to Real but made no mistake against the 14-time competition winners on an evening of outstanding quality at the Etihad Stadium. If last week’s first leg in the Spanish capital was cagey, this was anything but with City in total control.
The first-half in particular was a joyous watch for Pep Guardiola as City laid siege to Thibaut Courtois’ goal. The Belgium ‘keeper did well to keep out two Erling Haaland headers early on but he was no match for Bernardo Silva’s quickfire double.
City stopper Ederson denied David Alaba and Karim Benzema in the second half but when Manuel Akanji's header went in off Eder Militao, the semi-final tie was over. Julian Alvarez added another for the hosts in stoppage time with Guardiola’s charges running out 4-0 winners on a glorious evening for the club.
City will now face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on June 10 as Guardiola looks to finally win the only trophy that has evaded him since he was appointed in 2016. It also means City’s treble charge continues - they can win the Premier League by beating Chelsea this weekend and face Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
It was a sobering night for those connected to Madrid but Mesut Ozil showed his support for his former club with a message on social media shortly after the final whistle. Ozil repeated the battle cry chanted by Real supporters, tweeting: “No matter what... ¡Hala Madrid!”
The 34-year-old, who recently announced his retirement from football, made 159 appearances for Los Blancos between 2010 and 2014. He lifted the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Germany World Cup winner left the Spanish capital to join Arsene Wenger ’s Arsenal for £42.5million. He became a popular figure with the Gunners faithful and played a key role in three FA Cup triumphs.
But things turned sour at The Emirates, with the playmaker’s mammoth £350,000-per-week contract a millstone around Ozil’s neck as both his and Arsenal’s form dipped. Mikel Arteta eventually agreed to terminate Ozil’s contract in 2021 and the player signed for Turkish side Fenerbahce, before a spell at Istanbul Basaksehir.
Carlo Ancelotti’s future as Real manager has come into question following the defeat to City - with the club failing to retain their Champions League crown - but the 63-year-old said: “Nobody doubts my future, because the president was quite clear 15 days ago.”
Real’s influential president Florentino Perez publicly endorsed Ancelotti earlier this month.
