Man City dismantled Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead in sensational fashion as Rodri’s 25-yard stunner broke the deadlock at a tense Etihad Stadium in the first half. Those nerves were allayed after the break as strikes from Bernardo Silva and – who else? – Erling Haaland gave City a comfortable cushion going into the second leg in Bavaria next week.
Ederson – 8
After a fairly passive first half, the City custodian needed to be alert to deny Leroy Sane three times in the second half. One piece of distribution in particular – a smart long ball at the start of the second quarter – was a treat to see.
Manuel Akanji – 7
The City defender made a shaky start, but he grew in confidence alongside his colleagues. When he’s in form, one superb ball forward to Ilkay Gundogan in the first half and a lung-bursting run from deep in the second show he can be a tremendous asset.
Ruben Dias – 9
Due to the lack of a consistent No 9 in the Bayern assault, Dias was rarely tested, with Dias demonstrating his physical dominance by winning everything in the air. The defender made a crucial block to deny Jamal Musiala with the score at 0-0, and an off-the-line clearing prevented Kingsley Coman from heading home in the second half, before a brilliant last-ditch challenge to halt Serge Gnabry when the collective attention was fading.
Nathan Ake – 8
Coman summed up the Dutchman’s performance, who was offered little down the right in the early portions of the game before switching flanks just after halftime. As Joshua Kimmich attempted to release Leroy Sane down the wing, Ake made a critical first-half intervention. City’s defensive acumen does not exist in the absence of Ake.
John Stones – 7
Stones is establishing himself as a right-back, center-back, and center-midfielder. When England had possession, he would play in an advanced role, then drop back to center-half if they lost it. A fantastic assist for Haaland’s goal, then he stopped Sane from a one-on-one minutes later with good strength. A fantastic example of a defender going about his work quietly before making a significant impact.
Rodri – 8
The metronome of Manchester City. His quick dashes to create five yards of space are important for players like Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish to get on the ball, and he is always in the perfect place to stop attacks. His amazing goal was a piece of art, and his recent attacking skill has cemented his place as one of the world’s most complete midfielders.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8
At times, a cheat code. Man City’s best assaults came as a result of this man finding space to operate. De Bruyne delivered threatening crosses from both wings and demonstrated his ability to surge through the middle of the pitch. Despite being unfortunate to be substituted, Pep Guardiola was correct in telling the Belgian midfielder to concentrate on the basics.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7
With his late dashes into the box from midfield, the German midfielder caused Bayern problems, but he was let down by a terrible final ball. Gundogan should have opened the score with a header inside the box, and while he couldn’t do much more after Yann Sommer saved his effort, you get the impression he squanders those chances nine times out of ten.
Bernardo Silva – 8
Bernardo, you believe, was chosen for his work in midfield against the threat of Alphonso Davies on Bayern’s left flank. What the Portuguese had in the opening two-thirds of the pitch, on a positive night against the quick Davies, he lacked in the last third. But he displayed similar tenacity to head past Sommer for the second goal.
Erling Haaland – 7
The Premier League’s leading scorer had only two touches, but he should have done better with them. Haaland had two first-half chances in places where he might score with his eyes closed, but he blazed over and shot straight at Sommer. No surprise, therefore, that he squared for Bernardo in a rare unselfish moment from the Norwegian before displaying his customary poacher’s instincts for City’s third.
Jack Grealish – 8
Grealish took only 20 seconds to start racing at players and dumping them on their backsides. When he beat his man, though, he always played the correct ball. The ability of the England winger to flip the ball around the corner efficiently helps his team appear more unpredictable, while his off-ball work is improving dramatically. He appears to be at ease at this level.
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