Man City reach footballing perfection to stay on course for Treble
By Jason Burt, Chief Football Correspondent at the Etihad Stadium
Pep Guardiola recently said that perfection does not exist in football. And then Manchester City produce a performance like this in not just beating but annihilating the 14-time European champions, the behemoth that is Real Madrid, to reach the Champions League Final.
Make no mistake the Treble is on. Actually, it would be a major shock now if they did not do it. This felt like City’s most difficult test, arguably the biggest home game they have played since they moved to the Etihad in 2003, and they were simply majestic. They were unstoppable. They were serenity delivered with a ferocious intensity.
This is football on another plane. This is football from another planet especially in a first-half when no team in the world could have lived with them. Real were taken apart, ceding 72 per cent possession and having just 10 touches in City’s final third, and even with their legendary powers of recovery they knew the game was up. It was breathtaking stuff and Real had the air knocked out of them.
This was as good as it gets. Guardiola’s legacy, he had joked, is already exceptional but that is no vain claim. City are one win away from a third successive Premier League title, and may not even need that, one win away from winning the FA Cup and one win away from winning the Champions League for the first time ever.
Inter Milan in Istanbul on June 10 stand in their way but City will be the overwhelming favourites having seized this last four meeting which felt like a de facto final.
On this evidence Inter will not have a chance against what is emerging as possibly the greatest ever club side in the history of English football. That is some statement but think about how City dominate. They remove jeopardy. It really is perfection in its beautiful destructiveness.
They are so far ahead that their fourth goal, in injury-time, was wonderfully constructed and finished by two players in Phil Foden, with an exceptional pass, and Julian Alvarez, with an accomplished execution, who cannot get in the starting line-up. Both were substitutes.
In a sense it felt like the passing of a baton. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, two of the best midfielders ever, were taken off long before the final whistle. Modric’s last act? It was a clumsy body-check on Jack Grealish. It was the only way the 37-year-old could stop him just as, moments earlier, Dani Carvajal had ridiculously rugby-tackled the winger.
On the other flank Eduardo Camavinga could not cope with the almost demonic Bernardo Silva who scored two first-half goals and was utterly relentless throughout. He hurtled after the ball and never, ever stopped.
Karim Benzema or Erling Haaland? That was no contest. Haaland did not score but brutally ran riot and was only denied, on three occasions, by the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois. In fact but for the Real goalkeeper this could have been a hugely embarrassing scoreline rather than simply a wholly comprehensive one which nevertheless equalled the biggest margin of victory in a Champions League semi-final.
When the pressure was on City have gone on the rampage. It is 23 games unbeaten for them with 19 wins and three of those draws have been away games in this competition – at RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich in Real. When they had to they have knocked four goals past Arsenal to take control of the Premier League title race and another four past Real having scored three at home against Bayern.
These are unprecedented margins of dominance. In winning the Treble in 1999 Manchester United were an incredible team but it felt a bit more ‘seat-of-the-pants’ stuff from them. City just dominate in a way that the sport, really, has never witnessed before in this country.
And then there is Kevin de Bruyne. How appropriate, it felt, that his assist for the crucial opening goal came as he bypassed Modric and Kroos to set up Silva. Modric was slow to react, allowing De Bruyne time to precisely thread the ball through, past Kroos, for Silva to thrash home. It felt like a moment that confirmed De Bruyne as the world’s best midfielder – if there was even any doubt.
In his black jacket and jumper Guardiola twirled his right arm in the air to whip up the crowd like an ageing rock icon. He’s electric and the watching Noel Gallagher would have approved. Guardiola wanted tempo. He wanted pressure. He wanted City to attack, attack, attack.
And the Etihad was rocking, especially after the first goal with Silva adding a second before half-time. Once again City had taken the game away from their opponents by scoring once, then again, in relatively quick succession with Silva guiding a header past Courtois.
There were so many incidents that captured how one-sided it was. Yes, Kroos had crashed a shot against the crossbar from distance but the image of Vinicius Jnr running over to talk to Carlo Ancelotti – with both appearing non-plussed as to what was going on – was dominant. As was Ancelotti tapping his fingers on his chin after Silva’s second goal and as was Vinicius getting nothing out of Kyle Walker who, time and again, outsprinted him with ease.
Real had gone 2-0 down to Liverpool in the first leg of their last-16 tie but looked unfazed at Anfield as they recovered to seize control and win that game 5-2. But there was never a chance of that happening against City.
Yes, they may have rescued more perilous situations than this, not least in dramatically knocking City out in last season’s semi-final, but that was not this version of City. The best we have ever seen. The best City Guardiola has ever produced. A team to rival his Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona that won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011.
Haplessly the third goal came off Eder Militao’s thigh and so the celebrations truly began. It was over with that final strike giving the scoreline a more realistic feel. At the end there was a lap of honour, orchestrated by Guardiola, with Haaland draped in a Norwegian flag. It was not presumptuous. It was richly deserved.
City produce stunning display of superiority to overwhelm Real Madrid, as it happened:
10:50 PM
Carlo Ancelotti speaks with BT Sport
It was not a good performance of course. Manchester was better, they deserved to win. They took advantage and it was difficult to get back into the game.
We could have managed better the ball. They did high pressure and we were not able to win the ball as usual.
I expected the start of the game to be really intense, but I did not expect we could not manage the ball well.
They have a lot of quality, they put a lot of pressure and so nothing new.
The idea is to fight, to compete as we did this season, last season. We have to accept the defeat. You cannot always win. And through the defeat try to be better next season.
10:43 PM
Pep Guardiola speaks with BT Sport
I had the feeling that we had one year of pain in our stomach after what happened last season. It was so painful last season. During one year we showed how special our players are. We are there.
When you reach the Champions League final, you have to celebrate.
The players were outstanding.
We had the feeling that people were ready. It was calm. I didn't feel tension, anxious in any behaviour. I had the feeling today that we were ready.
10:36 PM
Jack Grealish
35 - Jack Grealish has created 35 chances in this season's #UCL campaign, the most on record (since 2003-04) by an English player in a single season. Architect. #MCIRMA pic.twitter.com/roptHJijs8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 17, 2023
10:31 PM
Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker speak with BT Sport
Jack Grealish:
Unbelievable. Just to be in this moment man, it's so nice. Now a week later and I'm standing here again and it's 4-0.
I swear man, when we're playing here, altogether, we feel unstoppable.
Even in the league, we feel like no-one can beat us.
Kyle Walker:
It's tough, it's always going to be tough. I thought the lads dug in well. We got over the line and that's the main thing.
You've got to have a bit of arrogance, like the attackers do. I always say just go toe-to-toe with them. You have to use your strengths. I just make it difficult as I can for him [Vinicius Junior] really.
In this team what I've loved since I've come here: everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. We don't rely on just one player.
10:19 PM
Manchester City vs Real Madrid player ratings: Kyle Walker shuts down Vinicius Junior
Every Man City player dominated their opposite number in a Champions League team performance for the ages.
Mike McGrath assesses their star performers.
10:11 PM
Thoughts from Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport
Tactically, they dominated. Even being clinical. And they had their foot on their throat.
Three back-to-back Premier Leagues, a potential treble. Where do they stop?
10:08 PM
Pep Guardiola has become the third manager to win 100 Champions League matches
After Carlo Ancelotti (107) and Alex Ferguson (102).
10:01 PM
The Champions League final
It'll be the first ever meeting between Man City and Inter Milan.
Saturday 10th June is the day.
10:00 PM
Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport
It's more the way that they've got here. They've battered, destroyed, pulverized a giant of European football. And they look like they've done it with ease.
09:58 PM
Bernard Silva speaks with BT Sport
We knew it was going to be tough, but to beat this Madrid team at home, it was wonderful.
We know how tough they are, even when the second half started and we were winning 2-0, they pushed us.
My performance in the first game in Madrid wasn't the one I wanted and I wanted to try to compensate that and I wanted to do better for my team-mates, our fans.
09:55 PM
Immediate full-time thoughts from the pundits on BT Sport
"This team, I cannot see them do anything different from winning all three trophies" - Michael Owen.
"To a man they were better, they were great individuals" - Rio Ferdinand.
09:52 PM
Full time: Man City 4 Real Madrid 0 (5-1 agg)
Manchester City have done it. They will go to Istanbul and they could well make history there. The Champions are out.
Man City haven't had many greater nights in European competition than this one. They were totally dominant tonight and demolished the opposition.
09:50 PM
GOAL! Man City 4 Real Madrid 0 (Alvarez, 90) (5-1 agg)
Alvarez!!! The movement combined with the weight of pass was masterful. Rodri, to Foden in the middle who cuts it through Rudiger and Tchouameni onto a plate for Alvarez who slips it past Courtois.
Man City are heading to Istanbul.
Manchester City are heading to Istanbul!! 🤩
Julian Alvarez makes it 4-0 to the Cityzens! 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/fN4pdodcAD— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
09:47 PM
90 minutes
Three minutes of added time to come.
09:46 PM
Another sub for City
Off comes Haaland, on goes Alvarez.
09:42 PM
84 mins: Man City 3 Real Madrid 0 (4-1 agg)
KDB is off to rapturous applause, the fans cheering his name. Foden is straight onto the press, snapping at Militao's and Alaba's ankles with no hesitation.
09:40 PM
Foden on
Kevin De Bruyne off.
09:39 PM
They're on their way
09:35 PM
GOAL! Man City 3 Real Madrid 0 (Akanji, 76) (4-1 agg)
KDB sends in the free kick from the left, floated into the centre of the box. Akanji gets the first touch with his head, but the last touch is off Militao who steers it past Courtois and into his own net. City are out of sight now.
It's 3-0 Man City!! 🔥
Istanbul here they come!! 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/IwTfizaBdL— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
09:31 PM
73 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
What a save again by Courtois! Gundogan back heels to send Haaland in deep inside the box.
Haaland gets it onto his right foot and open his body up, but his shot ricochet's off Courtois' thigh, onto the woodwork and out for a corner.
09:29 PM
71 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Walker's ball forward, KDB's run into that space down the right-wing – it looks like Madrid have given up on defending against him – but it's overhit and goes out for a Madrid goal kick.
09:27 PM
Madrid sub
Kroos comes off for Asensio.
Modric made way for Rudiger a few minutes earlier.
09:24 PM
62 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
A lovely flick from Silva to KDB to send the Belgian playmaker through, but it's a good tackle by Camavinga to cut him out.
Madrid have woken up a little bit this half, but City are still the team on top. Too many Madrid players are walking around out there. We've hardly seen Benzema tonight – he's been a complete non-factor.
09:20 PM
62 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Gundogan's gone into the ref's book for a foul on Vinicius, a late tackle which sends Madrid's star man tumbling to the ground just into City's final third.
09:18 PM
60 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
It falls to Gundogan in the Madrid box, bouncing off the foot of Carvajal, but fairplay to the Spaniard – he recovers well to cut out the danger.
09:15 PM
57 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Vinicius tries to find Rodrygo inside after making a foray down the right wing... but Grealish intercepts and it's easily mopped up.
09:13 PM
55 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Grealish tries to slip away from Carvajal, skipping away from him with ease before he's pulled down. Yellow card and a City free kick on the left, KDB to take.
It's sent in flat from KDB and cleared away by Carvajal.
09:11 PM
51 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Ederson with an excellent finger-tip save to send Alaba's dipping direct free kick over his crossbar. Only the second time he's been called into action from distance this match.
09:06 PM
Thoughts from Oliver Brown at the Etihad
Absurd. Giddying. Spell-binding. Manchester City's performance for the first 45 minutes was all of these things and more, the intricacy of their passing and the relentlessness of their pressing reducing Real Madrid to a punch-drunk daze. At times Pep Guardiola was exhorting the home fans to be more vocal, as if imploring them to appreciate the wonder of what they were seeing. Every one of his players delivered a lustrous display: quite apart from Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne were exceptional. Real look at a loss for any answers. A second Guardiola masterpiece is nearing completion.
09:04 PM
45 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Walker wins the ball back fairly from Vinicius just into the City final third, putting in a strong tackle. He's won that battle hands-down so far tonight in this Manchester City masterclass.
09:02 PM
Everyone was in on the action
Did Man City's starting XI have a shot in the first half?
◎ No - Ederson
◉ Yes - Kyle Walker
◎ No - Dias
◉ Yes - Akanji
◉ Yes - Stones
◉ Yes - Rodri
◉ Yes - Bernardo (3)
◉ Yes - De Bruyne
◉ Yes - Gündoğan
◉ Yes - Grealish
◉ Yes - Haaland (3)
Real Madrid had one. #UCL— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 17, 2023
09:02 PM
Second half
Real Madrid get us back under way.
09:00 PM
An incredible stat here
Real Madrid finished the first half with 10 touches in the attacking third.
Man City had 196 😳 pic.twitter.com/eFQfuPfN7T— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 17, 2023
08:57 PM
It could've easily been three...
Brilliant save from Thibaut Courtois!! 🧤
The Belgian keeper has already kept Erling Haaland at bay twice tonight!! 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/kZ9J1Jlzzp— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
08:57 PM
The joy of Pep
08:56 PM
Despondency from Modric and co
08:55 PM
A glorious half for Man City
08:53 PM
Before the first Man City goal, Real Madrid had just three touches in City's half
And none of those were in the attacking third. Total domination by the hosts.
08:49 PM
Half time: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Real Madrid are being ripped apart here. Total domination by the hosts.
A great couple of saves earlier from Courtois to deny Haaland before Bernardo Silva scored first with his feet, and then with his head. That's 13 shots for City vs Madrid's one.
Istanbul is getting closer.
08:46 PM
45 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Real Madrid are all over the place. City have been shooting at will, Akanji the latest getting in on the action.
08:46 PM
43 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
Silva gets a shot away, edge of the box!
But that one's straight down Courtois' throat.
08:44 PM
42 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
It looks so easy for City out there. So much visible confidence flowing through the whole team. Courtois has been the best player for Madrid out there. They look fearful when City have got the ball and are not pressing quickly enough.
08:42 PM
40 mins: Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (3-1 agg)
KDB free kick wide on the right, 30 yards out. He's gone for the flat one. The last touch is a Madrid one and it goes out for a corner.
Madrid don't get dominated very often, but this is the reality so far tonight.
08:39 PM
GOAL! Man City 2 Real Madrid 0 (Silva, 36) (3-1 agg)
Bernardo Silva!
Grealish is in acres of space down the left. He picks up Gundogan inside the box who takes a shot, it deflects off Courtois and Silva is there in the box to dink his header over the man on the line. A wonderfully controlled finish.
Bernardo Silva is leading Man City to Istanbul!! 🔥
The Portuguese star bags his second of the night! 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/k3OxPucX4b— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
08:36 PM
34 mins: Man City 1 Real Madrid 0 (2-1 agg)
Kroos rattles the crossbar! Movement and pace, he really catches hold of it and Ederson gets a fingertip to it!
08:35 PM
33 mins: Man City 1 Real Madrid 0 (2-1 agg)
Benzema is sent in by Rodrygo, a simple enough pass, one-on-one with Ederson, but the City keeper has judged that well and charged out to smother the ball. He's not had to do anything yet, but shows himself to be completely sharp.
08:33 PM
32 mins: Man City 1 Real Madrid 0 (2-1 agg)
Just as I write that, Vinicius is sent down the inside-left and surges into the City box, but Walker is faster than him, gets between him and the ball and calmly controls and clears.
08:32 PM
31 mins: Man City 1 Real Madrid 0 (2-1 agg)
Man City are closing Real Madrid down so well. The visitors have barely made it into the hosts half.
They've completed 45 passes vs City's 237.
08:29 PM
Analysis from Oliver Brown at the Etihad
Even by Manchester City's standards, the monopoly on possession is astounding. Real Madrid can barely escape their own third, let alone their own half. They show few signs of becoming disorientated just yet, but this is a dizzyingly effective sky-blue swarm. Thibaut Courtois does not have a moment to rest, as City turn his every clearance into another attack.
08:26 PM
GOAL! Man City 1 Real Madrid 0 (Silva, 23) (2-1 agg)
Bernardo Silva! Fully deserved from a City point of view too. City have taken a giant stride towards Istanbul.
Man City run wild down the right, KDB well involved. Silva is played through into the Madrid box and looks as though he is going to whip it across the face of goal, but slings it past Courtois at the near post.
Bernardo Silva makes the breakthrough!! 🤩
It's 1-0 Man City!! 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/x4G9aGxyib— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 17, 2023
08:23 PM
21 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
What a save!!! It's a great ball in from the right, a good header across to Haaland from Akanji. Courtois is going left, but manages to dive and save with his finger-tips to deny 52-goal Haaland's placed header. That was world class.
08:20 PM
18 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
City free kick on the left. De Bruyne takes. He just tries to catch Courtois off guard, picking out that front post with a curling effort – just wide.
08:18 PM
16 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
Gundogan tries to float it in, but that's too far ahead of Haaland.
08:18 PM
15 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
KDB puts a great ground cross in, catching everyone off guard with a left-footed cross... but Militao is again there and alert.
08:15 PM
13 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
Haaland! A lovely ball in by Grealish from the left to the Norwegian. It's on a dime to Haaland, who heads, but Courtois responds and puts in a reaction save. Strong.
08:13 PM
11 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
Real Madrid have allowed Stones to take a pot shot, just wide. City are moving the ball around well. Remember, this sort of play doesn't faze Madrid though as they're so quick on the counter.
08:12 PM
10 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
KDB spots an early ball in to the box, a little dart in there, but Militao does well to get up and head it away.
City have been the dominant team so far tonight, but nothing yet to show for their efforts.
08:10 PM
7 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
De Bruyne jumps onto an open ball, picking out Haaland ahead of him after Madrid play a high line. The City striker takes a heavy touch past Courtois and ends up trying to pull the ball back across goal... but no City player is there.
Moments later Rodri cuts inside, then cuts out, a great bit of skill from the midfielder before he unleashes a right-footed shot from the right side of the box. It curls away from the goal but wasn't far off. Just lacked a bit of composure with the finish.
08:07 PM
5 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
Good ball in by De Bruyne, Madrid dropping deep and allowing City to come on to them. KDB darts into the box and tries to pick out Gundogan, but it's well defended by Militao.
08:05 PM
3 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
Walker has the first shot of the game. It comes to him, right-of-centre, 25 yards out and he pulls the trigger, but sends it well over.
08:04 PM
2 mins: Man City 0 Real Madrid 0 (1-1 agg)
Walker sends Silva down the right, before cutting inside. It comes to Rodri in the middle and he tries to pick Silva on a run down the outside right-channel, but his touch lets him down. Madrid throw.
08:01 PM
Kick off!
Manchester City get us under way.
Poland's Szymon Marciniak officiates tonight.
07:58 PM
Out come the teams
A reminder of the line-ups tonight.
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Stones, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland.
Subs: Phillips, Laporte, Ortega, Alvarez, Gomez, Mahrez, Carson, Foden, Palmer, Lewis.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Eder Militao, Alaba, Camavinga, Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Junior.
Subs: Vallejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Lunin, Odriozola, Lucas, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Rudiger, Mendy, Mariano.
07:57 PM
The players are gathering in the tunnel
"This is the acid test tonight," says Michael Owen.
"I do fancy City, I've got to be honest," says Rio Ferdinand.
07:55 PM
Noel G
07:54 PM
More screamers tonight?
20 - Tonight's match will see the two sides of top five European leagues with the most goals from outside box in all competitions this season: @ManCity and @realmadriden (20 each one). Resource. pic.twitter.com/b6XTPBb3Xl
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 17, 2023
07:50 PM
Pep Guardiola speaks with BT Sport
We have to help our people to be with us, we have to give them something and we are happy to do it.
Now we have the team, and everyone is pushing. But always we have a good squad.
The moment I see the line-up, I try to figure out what they are trying to do.
07:42 PM
Real Madrid's European dominance
This comparison of Manchester City vs. Real Madrid in Europe is WILD 😳 pic.twitter.com/XdmREfCOA6
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 17, 2023
07:39 PM
More thoughts from Owen
The ironic thing was that both teams scored against the run of play in the Bernabeu the other day.
They [Real Madrid] really dominated down the left-hand side. All of a sudden, in that second half, they gained control of the game. Fascinating to see how the game starts tonight.
07:33 PM
Michael Owen on Vinicius Junior
I think you could argue that he's the most destructive player in the world. Mbappe, him. There's not many players who strike fear in the game.
People with pace like him, skill. I think he is destructive.
07:27 PM
And here's Ederson, KDB and Haaland
07:25 PM
Real Madrid are out for their warm up
07:23 PM
Steve McManaman on Carlo Ancelotti
I think the most important thing when you manage Real Madrid is that the players respect you. He [Ancelotti] is a very calm pair of hands. The owners, they trust him as well. But the most important thing is that the players respect him.
07:21 PM
And here's the trophy
07:14 PM
Carlo Ancelotti arrives at the Etihad
I am very calm, full of hope, full of faith.
It is all about managing thoughts.
We are very happy to be here, we are feeling good. It is a usual event for us to be in a semi-final.
It's 11 years out of 13 in the semi-finals. That's not easy. We enjoy it while we can.
07:09 PM
Telegraph Sport's Oliver Brown: "An epoch-defining evening for Manchester City"
An epoch-defining evening for Manchester City. Some pre-match thoughts outside the Etihad pic.twitter.com/aKDu1uYM2l
— Oliver Brown (@oliverbrown_tel) May 17, 2023
07:00 PM
Some entrance...
🚌 The Man City team arrive at the Etihad to face Real Madrid!
What are your score predictions for the game?#MCFC | #ManCity pic.twitter.com/9IYC1Y8SSE— Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) May 17, 2023
06:57 PM
Man City fans welcome their side
Pictures from Telegraph Sport's James Ducker, who is on the ground at the Etihad.
06:51 PM
WATCH: Madrid fans occupy Manchester city centre
🎶 Real Madrid fans gather in Manchester City Centre ahead of #MCIRMA
What are your score predictions for tonight?#MCFC | #ManCity pic.twitter.com/EYqINMY2kd— Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) May 17, 2023
06:47 PM
Man City's incredible run
Pep Guardiola's side are in the midst of an incredible run of results at home in the Champions League.
They have not lost in 25 home Champions League ties...for the purposes of clarity that run looks like this:
WWWWWWDWWWWWWWWWWDWWWWWWW
06:45 PM
Rudiger nugget
Some may be surprised to see Antonio Rudiger not in the Madrid side tonight after the way he marshalled Erling Haaland in the first leg, yet consider this...
Real Madrid have won 95 per cent of their games without Antonio Rüdiger in the starting XI this season across all competitions (G20 W19 L1), compared to just 53 per cent with the German as a starter (G36 W19 D8 L9).
Ancelotti clearly has huge faith in the combination fo Militao and Alaba.
06:39 PM
Manchester City team news
Pep Guardiola turns to the same XI which came out of Madrid last week with a draw. Worth noting that Kevin de Bruyne had a full rest at the weekend and thus should be fully fresh ahead of this one.
Your City XI 🙌
XI | Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodrigo, Gundogan (C), De Bruyne, Bernardo, Grealish, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Laporte, Alvarez, Gomez, Mahrez, Foden, Palmer, Lewis#ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/V1GZQTL3vn— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 17, 2023
06:35 PM
City eye historic Treble
by James Ducker
Kyle Walker has set his sights on emulating Manchester United’s immortal treble winners – and repaying Manchester City’s owners in the process.
City will move a step closer to an elusive first Champions League should they overcome Real Madrid in the eagerly awaited second leg of their semi-final at the Etihad Stadium tonight.
It is the biggest game yet in what could be a history-making season for City, with Real, the 14-time European Cup winners, representing arguably the greatest threat to their hopes of becoming only the second club in English football history to win the treble, after a 1-1 draw in Spain last week.
City will claim a fifth Premier League title in six seasons if they beat Chelsea at the Etihad on Sunday – assuming Arsenal do not hand them the trophy by losing at Nottingham Forest the night before – and have already secured a place in the FA Cup final against United on June 3.
And Walker hopes City can carve their own piece of football immortality like United’s treble winners in 1998-99 at the same time as finally landing the Champions League trophy he feels the players owe the club’s Abu Dhabi owners for their transformative investment over the past 15 years.
“You have to just look over the road at Manchester United and what they have accomplished over a number of years,” the City defender said.
“When you get compared to that team, they won countless titles. We’ve done five in six years – if, hopefully, we can cross the line on this one, which still isn’t over by the way because we still need to get results against Chelsea, Brighton or Brentford. The club is missing that one [the Champions League] and the owners, given the amount of money they have pumped into this club and the investment they have done, we owe that to them.”
Walker says City’s players are also being driven by a desire to atone for their Champions League final defeat by Chelsea two seasons ago, when they lost 1-0 having headed into the game as favourites.
“To get to the Champions League final against Chelsea and not perform as well as we could, we owe that to ourselves to get some revenge because we know that was below par on that day,” he said.
“But we have a tough opponent to get past to get to the Champions League final. The first thing is getting past Real Madrid and then let’s see about the final.”
Walker said there was no denying the next few days could be a historic moment in the club’s history.
“I think it is big to everyone in that dressing room, we know the goals at the end of it, it is a massive week for the club,” he said. “I would have liked to have done it [won the Champions League] when we first got to the final against Chelsea but it is a learning curve.
“This group have been together for a number of years, where we have been able to overcome situations, where we have been in winning positions, losing positions.
06:30 PM
Real Madrid team news
As ever, Madrid have been early to release their side this evening. There's just one change from last week's first leg, with Eder Militao coming in to replace Antonio Rudiger.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜 🆚 @ManCity!#UCL pic.twitter.com/YOOEeW3F5x
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 17, 2023
06:27 PM
Ancelotti: 'Bravery, courage and character are vital components'
By Mike McGrath
Carlo Ancelotti has put together a possession-based game to break Manchester City’s formidable Champions League home record and has called for “bravery and character” from his Real Madrid players at the Etihad Stadium.
City have not lost a European match on home soil for 25 matches, which is a record for an English team in the competition. But Ancelotti says his team can finally produce an away win by taking control of possession and starving service to 51-goal striker Erling Haaland.
Ancelotti will draw on his club’s experience at this stage, reaching the semi-finals 11 times in 13 years, to reach another final after the 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu last week when his team conceded 70% possession in the first half.
“In the first leg we managed to have possession of the ball, it was tough for them to get hold of it. If we can have more possession than them, if we can have the ball, it is less of risk for defensive situations,” said the Real manager.
“Bravery, courage and character are vital components. These games put you under huge pressure. If you’ve not got the character and personality have to get over the challenge, all about personality and character, that can influence how much you show your quality. Will have moments when we suffer but that’s normal.”
Real’s team bus was late to pick up the Spanish giants from Manchester Airport, causing them to be late for the media duties and open training. Ancelotti reported no injury worries, leaving him with the decision on whether to recall Éder Militão to his defence. He says he will not just focus on stopping Haaland.
“When we evaluate a team you don’t just evaluate one player, if you control Haaland you can’t forget (Bernardo) Silva or the others, (Kevin) De Bruyne. We chat with coaches, if they have to score then hopefully it’s early so we have a chance to get back in the game.”
Ancelotti also insisted the cost of each team will not matter, adding: “If you think you are the best team in the world it doesn’t make it 100% sure you’ll win, it’s not just quality in a semi-final, it can be personality, mentality, character, it’s not only quality.”
