Man City 4-0 Real Madrid (Agg. 5-1): Player ratings as Citizens Reach UCL final against Inter

The Etihad stage was set as two giants from England and Spain battled it out for a spot in the Champions League final – but it was almost David against Goliath over 90 minutes.

With 81% possession after 25 minutes, it was only a matter of time until the pressure cracked Real Madrid as the entire Manchester City squad seemed up for the challenge.

After Thibaut Courtois made two huge saves on Erling Haaland from point-blank range, a wide-open Bernardo Silva blasted home from inside the box for 1-0.

The Portugal international then capitalised on his side’s momentum and doubled the lead with a wide-open header for 2-0 as the visitors were shell-shocked.

Vinícius Júnior was well-marked by an equally speedy Kyle Walker, Karim Benzema was extremely meek, and the age of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić was well on display.

Los Blancos tried to get their characteristic counter-attacks going in the second half, but Manchester City remained formidable (virtually inch-perfect) and limited every threat.

By the hour mark, a very slow Madrid still had only one shot on target and hauled off both Kroos and Modrić but a light bench suggested any sort of comeback was out of the question.

The game was all but put to bed when Manuel Akanji forced an Éder Militão own-goal, and to pile on the misery, substitutes Phil Foden and Julián Álvarez combined for 4-0 in front of bouncing fans.

Haaland perhaps finished the match as the only frustrated man at the Etihad missing three major opportunities.

It means the reigning champions bow out in incredible fashion as a dominant Manchester City side will now face Inter in the final in Istanbul.

Manchester City player ratings (3-2-4-1)

GK: Ederson – 6/10 – A spectator for the most part. Had the joy of sitting back and watching his side dominate the ball.

CB: Kyle Walker – 8/10 – Revealed pre-match that he feared becoming a meme because of his duels with Vinicius last week. Completely shut him down this time around with his still-searing pace.

CB: Ruben Dias – 7/10 – A little more reckless than his other defenders but that was understandable given he was largely in charge of breaking up quick transitions deep in Man City’s own half.

CB: Manuel Akanji – 8/10 – Had the freedom of the left flank on occasion. Held his own and shut Rodrygo out of the game.

DM: John Stones – 7/10 – Flittered all over midfield trying to control possession and keep the ball in Man City’s grasp.

DM: Rodri – 7/10 – Likewise had little problem ensuring that Real Madrid’s wily veterans couldn’t get into the midfield battle.

RM: Bernardo Silva – 10/10 – Hasn’t always been a first-choice starter this season but silenced any critics tonight. A match-winning, tie-defining brace sent Man City to the final.

AM: Kevin De Bruyne – 9/10 – Whether playing short or long, De Bruyne proved his superiority up against some of the greatest midfielders of all time.

AM: Ilkay Gundogan – 8/10 – Popped up all over midfield linking play and advancing the ball, getting himself into goal-scoring situations frequently.

LM: Jack Grealish – 7/10 – Technical excellence. Danced away from Carvajal and was unlucky not to grab an assist at some point.

CF: Erling Haaland – 7/10 – Probably should have scored early on but he tormented Real Madrid with his movement. Militao could not repeat Rudiger’s man-marking job.

Substitutes

Riyad Mahrez (79′ for Gundogan) – N/A

Phil Foden (84′ for De Bruyne) – N/A

Julian Alvarez (89′ for Haaland) – N/A

Subs not used: Ortega, Carson, Laporte, Gomez, Lewis, Phillips, Palmer, Alvarez, Foden

Manager

Pep Guardiola – 10/10 – Perfection. Now has a chance to avenge Man City’s 2021 woes.

Real Madrid player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Thibaut Courtois – 7/10 – Did his very best to keep Real Madrid in the tie but it was quite obvious he needed more help.

RB: Dani Carvajal – 4/10 – Tried to frustrate Grealish as he did in the first leg but failed to win the battle on this occasion.

CB: Eder Militao – 3/10 – There were eyebrows raised that didn’t belong to Ancelotti when he opted to bring Militao back in for Rudiger. The Brazilian was not up to the task.

CB: David Alaba – 4/10 – Pulled about to-and-fro by Man City’s movement, failing to keep up.

LB: Eduardo Camavinga – 4/10 – The young Frenchman has bemoaned playing out of position and tonight it showed more than ever that this is not his position. Looked lost in his duels with Silva.

CM: Federico Valverde – 4/10 – Unable to provide his usual energy and goal threat.

CM: Luka Modric – 3/10 – Looked every bit of a 37-year-old here. Off the pace and given the runaround by his younger Man City counterparts.

CM: Toni Kroos – 4/10 – Similarly subpar despite his experience. Real Madrid are fortunate they have suitable young midfielders already on their books and set to come in this summer.

RW: Rodrygo – 4/10 – Had to come infield quite a fair bit to escape the wrath of Akanji, though offered very little regardless.

CF: Karim Benzema – 3/10 – Injuries and Father Time have finally caught up to the reigning Ballon d’Or holder. Barely got a sniff.

LW: Vinicius Junior – 4/10 – Showed glimpses of trickery but was easily dealt with by Walker.

Substitutes

Antonio Rudiger (63′ for Modric) – 4/10

Marco Asensio (70′ for Kroos) – 4/10

Aurelien Tchouameni (80′ for Camavinga) – N/A

Dani Ceballos (80′ for Rodrygo) – N/A

Lucas Vazquez (80′ for Carvajal) – N/A

Subs not used: Lunin, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Mendy,, Hazard, Mariano

Manager

Carlo Ancelotti – 3/10 – Real Madrid had their pants pulled down. A dismal way for the champions to bow out.

Player of the match – Bernardo Silva (Man City)