For the beginning of the quarterfinals of the Champions League, this Tuesday, April 11, Manchester City has outclassed Bayern Munich (3-0). While the Cameroonian André Onana and Inter Milan managed to beat Benfica (0-2) in Lisbon.
This Manchester City-Bayern Munich was the highly anticipated clash of these Champions League quarterfinals. The Africans were absent with Pep Guadiorla choosing to put Bernardo Silva on the right side of the pitch instead of Riyad Mahrez. And on the other hand, the withdrawal of Eric Maxim Chupo-Moting, injured and the surprise to see Sadio Mané start this game on the bench.
The balance quickly tipped in favor of Manchester City. In front of their home crowd, Kevin De Bruyne's teammates showed an impressive collective strength that totally extinguished the Bavarians.
Rodri's shot into the top corner (27th) was the first of many goals for the Citizens on this European night. In the second half, the Bayern Munich defenders multiplied the technical waste like the French Dayot Upamecano who tore in his area and allows Erling Haaland to serve perfectly Bernardo Silva (70th) to double the score.
The French defender was in doubt and completely disoriented. Aware of the importance of scoring as many goals as possible at home before travelling to Munich in a week's time, one name was missing from the scoreboard: Erling Haaland (76th). Europe's top scorer pops up to stun Thomas Tuchel's men.
With 45 goals, the Norwegian striker becomes the first player in the Premier League to score so many goals in all competitions in one season.
Although Sadio Mané came on in the 69th minute, the Senegalese was transparent like his teammates. Manchester City takes a good option before the return leg on April 19.
What a night 😎#UCL pic.twitter.com/NS83AJGLEP
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 11, 2023
Inter Milan extinguish the Lisbon crowd
In difficulty since the beginning of the season in the league, Inter Milan often transcends in the Champions League. Solid, disciplined and clinical in front of goal, the teammates of Cameroonian Andre Onana have made a great performance on the road to Benfica. Nicolo Barella (50th), thanks to his overtaking, received a sumptuous cross from Bastoni to open the score.
The Portuguese had their chances but the final move was lacking with counter-attacks mostly in favor of Inter, in addition to a reassuring Onana on his line. To make the task more difficult for Benfica in the second leg, Inter Milan was awarded a penalty for a handball by Joao Mario. Romelu Lukaku (82nd) increased the gap. While Benfica had never lost so far this season in the Champions League at home, this defeat puts them in difficulty ahead of next week's return leg.
