Haaland rounds off stunning Man City show as Guardiola eyes semi-final spot

1084     0
Haaland rounds off stunning Man City show as Guardiola eyes semi-final spot
Haaland rounds off stunning Man City show as Guardiola eyes semi-final spot

There were only 15 minutes of regulation time remaining and Erling Haaland had done everything bar what he normally does.

He had missed what passes for a sitter in his world, had enjoyed a brutal physical battle and had fashioned a wonderful assist. And then he did what he normally does.

He anticipated John Stones ’ lovely cushioned header, peeled away from the defensive cover and volleyed in City’s third. In doing so, he almost certainly volleyed Pep Guardiola ’s side into the Champions League semi-finals

And it was fitting that this most astonishing of players should put the decoration on one of City’s more astonishing European wins. Because, make no mistake, this Bayern team is not a team of mugs.

At times during this fascinating contest, it looked as though the German champions had the upper hand but this is a City team that simply oozes goals. It did, though, take them just under half an hour to break the deadlock and when the opener came, it was a bolt from the sky blue.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash eiqekiqkzikxinvMarcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

Rodri looked well-marshalled when collecting a routine pass from Bernardo Silva but he turned inside Jamal Musiala and, with what is perceived as his weaker boot, struck a left-footer with enough power and curl to beat Sommer. There is no doubting City’s most spectacular performer this season but, equally, there is no doubting City’s most consistent performer this season.

Rodri has been quite magnificent. And for a short while, his beautiful strike seemed to have rattled Thomas Tuchel’s team, only the foot of a sprawling Sommer stopping Ilkay Gundogan doubling City’s advantage before the break.

Haaland rounds off stunning Man City show as Guardiola eyes semi-final spotErling Haaland scores Man City's third goal against Bayern Munich (Getty Images)

Who was your man-of-the-match in Man City's win over Bayern Munich? Share your thoughts in the comments below

But Leroy Sane gave a timely reminder of Bayern’s menace just ahead of the half-time whistle when his 20-yarder took a lick of paint from Ederson’s right-hand post. It was not as though Bayern were playing purely on the counter, the visitors shading the first half possession statistics.

Sane should have levelled matters soon after the restart when he coasted clear of Manuel Akanji but Ederson got down smartly and Nathan Ake completed the clearance. That sparked a spell of pressure that must have felt distinctly unfamiliar to this City operation.

Make no mistake, on a filthy Manchester night, City had something of a storm to weather and Ederson suddenly became their key player. But after the Brazilian pulled off a couple of decent stops, City found their attacking feet again and Ake should have done better than firing straight at Sommer from ten yards.

It was, though, a contest that ebbed and flowed and the wind was again taken out of City’s sails when De Bruyne seemed to suffer a groin injury. He was far from happy when he was hooked but his departure initiated another upturn in home fortune.

Jack Grealish dispossessed a dawdling Dayot Upamecano and fed Haaland who, to everyone other than Silva’s surprise, opted to chip to the far past. The diminutive Portuguese dashed in and buried a bullet header.

Almost bizarrely, Bayern had imploded and, almost inevitably, Haaland joined the goalscoring act with his conversion of that intelligent Stones assist. If anything, Guardiola might be a bit annoyed that his men did not put this tie completely out of Bayern’s sights in the final throes of this leg.

But it still should be little more than a formality in Munich next week - the remarkable Haaland has seen to that.

Man Utd finally listen to Ralf Rangnick after ignoring his six-man transfer planMan Utd finally listen to Ralf Rangnick after ignoring his six-man transfer plan

Andy Dunn

Thomas Tuchel, Champions League, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Pep Guardiola, Erling Braut Haaland, Bayern Munich, Manchester City FC

Read more similar news:

01.02.2023, 05:45 • Sport
Man Utd lose seven players and sign three as January transfer window closes
01.02.2023, 06:47 • Sport
Marcel Sabitzer opens up on frantic deadline day dash to join Man Utd
01.02.2023, 07:30 • Sport
New Man Utd signing Marcel Sabitzer had trial so bad his agent "apologised"
01.02.2023, 10:44 • Sport
Man Utd initially wanted to sign Sabitzer's teammate but Bayern Munich refused
01.02.2023, 11:36 • Sport
Reasons why Man Utd signed Sabitzer over other midfielders in deadline day move
01.02.2023, 12:44 • Sport
Rio Ferdinand slams Paul Merson over Manchester United transfer assessment
01.02.2023, 13:06 • Sport
Man Utd's five January transfer deadline day signings as Sabitzer completes move
01.02.2023, 21:31 • Sport
Joao Cancelo took 18 minutes to show Man City what they've lost on Bayern debut
02.02.2023, 05:30 • Sport
Bayern Munich deadline day rejection which forced Man Utd's hand comes to light
02.02.2023, 09:59 • Sport
Ten Hag explains why Man Utd signed Marcel Sabitzer over four other midfielders