Match report as Manchester City beat Bayern Munich 4-1 on aggregate to set up a Champions League semi-final against holders Real Madrid; Erling Haaland blazes penalty over the bar in Germany before scoring his 48th goal of the season; Joshua Kimmich's late spot-kick saw second leg end 1-1
Thursday 20 April 2023 09:57, UK
Erling Haaland scored his 48th goal of the season as Manchester City beat Bayern Munich 4-1 on aggregate to set up another Champions League semi-final showdown with holders Real Madrid.
Holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg, City weathered an early storm in Germany before Haaland's composed finish in the 57th minute effectively confirmed his side's place in the last four for a third year in a row.
The Norwegian could have opened the scoring earlier but blazed a first-half penalty over the bar and despite Joshua Kimmich making it 1-1 on the night with a late spot-kick (83), it was a case of mission accomplished for Pep Guardiola's team.
City's chances of securing a maiden Champions League title remain very much alive, but they will first have to overcome 14-time winners Real Madrid, who beat Chelsea 4-0 on aggregate in their quarter-final.
And they will know better than anyone what a daunting challenge that is, having been knocked out by the Spanish champions at the semi-final stage last year after falling victim to one of the greatest European comebacks.
As for Bayern, a dramatic turnaround against City was always unlikely and they exit the quarter-finals for a third consecutive season.
Bayern were clearly stung by last week's loss at the Etihad and were determined to go down fighting. They began with belief and, feeding off the energy of a boisterous atmosphere, took the game to City.
Kingsley Coman twice got clear down the right in the opening minutes but his final ball was lacking before the visitors survived a bigger scare when former City winger Leroy Sane raced through on goal but shot wide.
There was drama at the other end when Dayot Upamecano was shown a red card for tripping Haaland as he broke clear, but the decision was overturned after a flag was raised.
The Bayern defender then gave away a penalty when he handled an Ilkay Gundogan shot in the box, but Haaland blasted over after the hosts did their best to delay the spot-kick.
That miss gave Bayern renewed hope and they finished the first half strongly with Coman firing at Ederson and Sane, who earlier had a free-kick saved, shooting wide from distance. Joao Cancelo and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting were also denied from close range.
Haaland had another opportunity after the break as Bayern began to get stretched but shot straight at Yann Sommer. The German side went close again as a Coman effort squirmed through Ederson's grasp and rolled across goal but City cleared and Haaland made no mistake at the third time of asking.
Again the Bayern defence was caught out as Kevin De Bruyne led a charge. The Belgian calmly slipped in Haaland and, after skipping around Upamecano, the 22-year-old finished emphatically to become the youngest player to score 35 Champions League goals.
That put the tie beyond doubt but Bayern were not quite done. Mathys Tel had a goal chalked off for offside before Kimmich struck from the spot seven minutes from time after Manuel Akanji was harshly penalised for handball.
Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel had to watch the closing minutes from the stands after being shown a red card for letting his frustrations get the better of him.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola's only concern from an otherwise satisfying night will be the severity of a suspected hamstring injury to defender Nathan Ake, who had to be withdrawn in the second half.
"I've had it before and it feels a little bit less to be honest, but you never know with these things, so we will do the ultrasounds and stuff on Thursday and then hopefully it's not too bad," Ake told Sky Sports after the match.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola told BT Sport: "Of course, three years in a row in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
"We struggled in the first half. Upamecano broke all the lines down our left side and we struggled with Coman. We were fortunate before the penalty miss, they had one or two chances and anything could happen but we defended really well.
"The finishing from Erling was really, really good. He is so young. The experience that we have in this competition, the players feel it a lot, they want to do it really well. The second half was much, much better since minute one.
"We are exhausted. I don't know how we recover to play against Sheffield United [in the FA Cup semi-final]. Now is a tough moment for the game on Saturday."
Asked about the chance of revenge against Real Madrid in the semi-finals, Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva told BT Sport: "Hopefully, yes. We will go for it definitely.
"We always go for it but we feel the team is very, very confident at the minute. I think we are going through.
"We struggled until February because we couldn't get in that usual run we had before of winning 10-15 games in a row but now we are very consistent, we feel we have a chance in every competition and we are going for them.
"We are at that point of the season where if you drop your performance in one game you are out of a competition. It is going to be tough but we are going to work very hard to bring some titles home."
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel said: "I am very satisfied with both games against Manchester City and with the way we presented ourselves.
"We were on par with what is currently the best team in Europe. There was a difference in self-confidence and form. For the few chances we conceded in both matches, we were punished. I don't think the scoreline reflects the tie.
"We had enough chances. But in order to beat the best team you need more than just 100 per cent. You need also a bit of luck, a deflection, a set piece and you also have to make those golden chances you get.
"I think we had City on the hook again, even more so than in Manchester. But, like last week, we never had that moment of luck that you need to turn this around."
Sky Sports' Dan Sansom:
"It's looking ominous. They're very close to it. Far too close for comfort," said a concerned Gary Neville at the weekend.
Manchester City have been here before. It's not the first time they've had a realistic chance of winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the same season. And under Pep Guardiola, it's usually the norm at this time of year.
Of course, the Champions League is the one piece of silverware that always seems to slip away. This season, though, it feels different.
City have the luxury of being able to call upon the ruthless Erling Haaland, who took his tally to a staggering 48 goals this term when he scored against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. That, as well as going 15 games unbeaten in all competitions, suggests Neville is right to be worried.
"They're purring now and are serious about it," the Sky Sports pundit added. Guardiola's men mean business.
Real Madrid - City's semi-final conquerors last season - could well end their dream again. AC Milan or Inter Milan could also prevent them from finally winning Europe's elite club competition. But with Arsenal showing signs of faltering in the Premier League title race and Sheffield United up next in the FA Cup semi-finals, winning all three major honours is looking increasingly possible.
They've completed the domestic treble before, but this one is considered the best. Manchester United are the only English side to have managed it, but there's every chance City will emulate their rivals this year. There's no better team in Europe right now.
Manchester City's treble charge continues on Saturday when they travel to Wembley to face Championship side Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals (kick-off 4.45pm).
Pep Guardiola's team take on Premier League title rivals Arsenal in a mouthwatering clash at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (kick-off 8pm) before travelling to Fulham on April 30 (kick-off 2pm), live on Sky Sports.
Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action on Saturday when they make the trip to Mainz (kick-off 2.30pm). The league leaders then welcome rock-bottom Hertha Berlin to the Allianz Arena the following Sunday (kick-off 2.30pm).
April 22: Sheffield United (N) - FA Cup semi-final, kick-off 3pm
April 26: Arsenal (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm
April 30: Fulham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
May 3: West Ham (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 7: Leeds United (H) - Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
May 9: Real Madrid (A) - Champions League semi-final first leg, kick-off 8pm
May 13: Everton (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 17: Real Madrid (H) - Champions League semi-final second leg, kick-off 8pm
May 20: Chelsea (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Brentford (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
TBA: Brighton (A) - Premier League
