Manchester City took a 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals in a clinical display that sent them ahead.
The 52,257 excited fans at the Etihad Stadium witnessed Rodrigo’s incredible opening goal, a 25-yard left-foot strike that rocketed past Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Bernardo Silva doubled the lead with a powerful header on 69 minutes, with Haaland making it three on 76 minutes with his 45th goal of the season. Haaland has now scored more goals than any other player in all competitions at a Premier League club. Manchester City is aiming to secure a third consecutive semi-final in the elite European competition when they face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena next week.
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The match began with driving rain cutting across the Etihad, but City warmed up the crowd with a dominant first half display. Erling Haaland fired over the bar on five minutes, and Captain Ilkay Gundogan headed too high two minutes later. City had to defend strongly on 26 minutes as Ruben Dias brilliantly blocked a goal-bound effort by Jamal Musiala. Former City man Leroy Sane went close with a fizzing blast in first half injury time but City went in at the break ahead.
Bayern came out for the second half with more verve and energy as they looked to get back into the tie. However, City maintained its dominance, and its fans erupted when Bernado powerfully headed home Haaland’s cross from the left on 69 minutes. The win gives Manchester City a commanding advantage going into next week’s second leg.
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Erling Haaland broke the record for the most goals scored by a player in all competitions at a Premier League club, with 45 goals across 2022/23. Salah and van Nistelrooy had both scored 44 goals, with both players achieving the feat in 52 appearances, while Haaland achieved the milestone in just 39 appearances.
City will face Real Madrid or Chelsea in the last four if they progress to the Champions League semi-final. The second leg takes place on Wednesday 18 April, and it promises to be a real cracker.
