Man City v Real Madrid: Bernardo Silva the executioner, Benzema a ghost
Man City beat Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final second leg. Sport News Africa picks out the match's standout performers and its flops.
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Man City v Real Madrid: the tops
Starting on the left, Bernardo Silva was a huge help to his side. He scored the first two goals, which allowed Man City to relax far more in the game and take control. The Portuguese midfielder also gave his direct opponent, Edouardo Camavinga, a torrid time. Defensively, he was always there, tracking back as required. With his intelligence on the ball, he often drifted inside to create the overload. He will be named man of the match by UEFA.
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Jack Grealish
Though he wasn't decisive for his side's goals, Jack Grealish had a huge influence on the Citizens' play. The Englishman, unstoppable, constantly posed a threat in front of Real Madrid's goal. He caused Dani Carvajal enormous problems, and Carvajal would be substituted after picking up a yellow card. His ball control and forward runs unsettled the Madrid block. He was also very important in tracking back. Pep Guardiola appreciates this in him and picks him ahead of Mahrez and Foden.
Read more on the same subject: Man City thrash Real and join Inter Milan in the final
Thibault Courtois
He was certainly the only one who lived up to his standing in the Real Madrid squad. From the start of the match, Thibault Courtois made two saves from Erling Haaland, denying him two goals that could have sunk the Maison Blanche very early on. The Belgian goalkeeper would shut out the Norwegian striker once again late in the game. He kept Madrid afloat for a long time but, sadly, was powerless against the Citizens' repeated attacks. He conceded 4 goals, none of which he could do anything about.
Man City v Real Madrid: the flops
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner and his team's captain, Karim Benzema was again expected to step up in this high-level game and lead his team-mates into the final. The French striker failed to do so. As in the first leg, he was anonymous. He didn't drop deep as needed to let his side play higher up the pitch. They were suffocated and the Frenchman lost the ball many times. He lost a huge number of duels against Rúben Dias.
Read more on the same subject: Milan-Inter: the tops and the flops
Eder Militão
In the first leg, Antonio Rüdiger started. He lived up to his reputation by neutralising Erling Haaland perfectly. In the second leg, Carlos Ancelotti preferred the Brazilian defender, who failed to deliver. The Norwegian striker managed to create 3 clear chances. Militão also diverted the ball into his own net for the 3rd goal. It even took Rüdiger coming on to free him from marking Haaland, who was giving him a hard time. In build-up, he also lacked the composure and technique needed to help his side play out of Manchester City's press.
Dani Carvajal
The Spanish defender struggled against Jack Grealish. Every time the Englishman got on the ball, he was a danger to Real Madrid. Dani Carvajal was dominated and bullied. He was even substituted after being booked. Going forward, he made no impact. On the rare occasions he got forward, he played the ball back inside or backwards. No attacking initiative whatsoever. Real's right flank was almost non-existent throughout the match.
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