Manchester City defeats Real Madrid to enter the Champions League final

Manchester City fans were rejoicing as the team defeated Real Madrid and entered the finals of the Champions League. The football club manager, Pep Guardiola exclaimed after the 4-0 victory at Etihad Stadium, 'We are there. We can think about it, can visualize it.' City has set its eyes on all the significant titles like Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. 

Bernardo Silva scored twice in the first half, Eder Militao scored an own goal after the break and substitute Julian Alvarez made their way into the finale. Though Madrid put up a strong challenge, they have always been a tough competition for all the clubs. Manchester City is set to face Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul on June 10. Now it's only Manchester United that stands between City and the FA Cup. Just for your information, United is the only English team to win the three main trophies in one season in the year 1999. Manchester City looks to win the Champions League title for the first time whereas for Guardiola as a coach, it will be the third time.

In the last seven years that Guardiola has been in-charge of the club, there have been times when City has performed poorly and lost to underdogs like Tottenham and Lyon. Remembering the semifinal loss against Madrid last year, Guardiola said, after 10 or 15 minutes I had the feeling that all the pain we had in one season, one year, what happened last season, was there today. It was really tough to lose the way we lose and I think we had to swallow poison. Football always gives you another chance.”

The stadium roared in excitement as the match was in its final minutes as it was an incredible match. Erling Haaland had two clear chances to score before Bernardo’s opening goal — twice seeing headers saved by Courtois. With the cheering crowd, the home team found made progress which happened in the 23rd minute. After denying Haaland twice, Courtois could not stop Bernardo, who raced onto Kevin de Bruyne’s pass before firing in at the near post. Toni Kroos hit the bar from around 25 meters and Bernando scored again in the 37th minute. With Militao diverting De Bruyne’s free-kick into his own net, the crowd went into a celebratory mood and when Alvarez slid a shot past Courtois in stoppage time, the stadium reverberated with cheers.

Carlo Ancelotti described Madrid as a team with a special power to stay alive. “We played against an opponent who deserved to win. They played with more intensity, more quality up front and they took their chances. They were better than us today, we were better last year.”

Bernardo commented, “It’s a beautiful night for us. We knew it was going to be tough, but to beat this Madrid team 4-0 at home it was wonderful . . . a wonderful feeling to be in the final again and hopefully this time we can try to win it.”