FC Bayern has its back against the wall

Manchester City has created a top starting position in the fight for promotion to the semi-finals of the Football Champions League. England’s champions deservedly won the quarter-final first-leg smash against Bayern Munich 3-0 in front of their home crowd on Tuesday night and have all the aces in their own hands next Wednesday in Germany. Inter Milan also have good cards after a 2-0 away win at Benfica Lisbon.

The “Skyblues” laid the foundation for their ninth competitive win in a row early on in the City of Manchester Stadium with Rodri (27′). After the break, Bernardo Silva (70′) and Erling Haaland (76′) made things clear with a double strike The 22-year-old Norwegian increased his goals this season to 45 in 39 competitive games, eleven of which he scored in seven games in the “premier class”, where the ex-Salzburg striker now has a total of 34 goals after just 26 appearances.

The hit developed extremely poor chances before the break. The English hosts got more out of the game and also provided one of the very few real highlights. Rodri took heart from almost 20 meters and curled the ball into the cross corner with his left. Bayern goalie Yann Sommer prevented a second goal, who parried a Gündogan shot brilliantly with a foot reflex (34′).

On the other hand, Ederson didn’t have to intervene once, just before half-time, but there was not much missing from a long-range shot by Leroy Sane (45 + 2). The Bayern offensive player appeared again after the restart, but failed because of Ederson (49th). It was the start of an open exchange of blows in which both teams set offensive highlights in the pouring rain.

Bad mistake by Upamecano

At the end of a curious action, a shot by City star Haaland was blocked in dire need (50th). At Bayern, it was once again Sane who tested City goalie Ederson on a long-range shot (54′). But the English had more chances and for the guests it became more and more dangerous by the minute.

Sommer was able to excel in the finishes of Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias (both 57th). However, the Swiss was unable to iron out a serious mistake made by Dayot Upamecano. The ex-Salzburg player lost the ball when he tried to play it out. It then landed on Haaland, who unselfishly crossed to the middle, where Bernardo Silva headed in heavily.

Six minutes later, the assistant then rose to scorer. After Stones’ preparatory work, the Norwegian hit the corner directly from close range. Haaland was also successful in his second game after recovering from a groin injury. Despite the heavy defeat, Sommer was still the best Bayern player, he prevented even worse from a Rodri header (87th). Josep Guardiola thus decided the coaching duel with Thomas Tuchel, who was only acting as Bayern coach for the fourth time, in his favor for the time being. Munich must hope for a small football miracle next week.

Inter reared up

Benfica also has their backs to the wall with ex-Salzburg coach Roger Schmidt. Portugal’s record champions are once again in danger of missing out on the semi-finals for the first time. For Inter, on the other hand, the success could be tantamount to a liberation, as it was the first triumph after six games without a win. Nicolo Barella (51st) and Romelu Lukaku (82nd/penalty) entered the shooter list.