MY ACCOUNT
Manchester City eased past Bayern Munich at a packed out Etihad Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Premier League giants hit three goals at home through Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland to give them a massive advantage heading into the return fixture.
It was a disappointing performance from Bayern, who lacked any real threat in the final third and left Thomas Tuchel scratching his head at full-time.
Here are five talking points from a dominant display on a cold night in Manchester.
Wet and windy
In a finely poised match, it was difficult for either side to find their full flow due to the adverse weather conditions.
A heavy downpour and strong winds in Manchester meant that both City and Bayern were reduced to playing short and there were several instances of misplaced passes at the Etihad Stadium.
On more than one occasion, City’s wide players found themselves with acres of space, but every long diagonal ball was being held up in the wind, prompting disappointing groans from spectators.
Rodri’s rocket
Midfield maestro Rodri will find it difficult to replicate his sweet strike that gave City the lead after 28 minutes.
The 26-year-old had been involved in much of his side’s attacking play and was urged to shoot when he received that ball on the edge of the Bayern box.
His curling effort left Yann Sommer clawing at thin air and the blue side of Manchester erupted alongside Pep Guardiola as the ball settled in the back of the net.
Ederson excellent
The tricky conditions made it more likely that a mistake would be made at the back for either team, but Ederson was calm and composed as he withheld a barrage of Bayern attacks early in the second half.
Two strikes from ex-City star Leroy Sane tested the Brazilian, but he was equal to both, getting down low to stop the German one-on-one and standing tall to parry another effort five minutes later.
His heroics were enough to keep his side in control of the tie and allowed the Citizens to settle back into their front-foot approach.
Bayern lacking bravery
Bayern’s lack of bravery cost them against an opposition that love to press high and dominate the ball.
Alphonso Davies and Benjamin Pavard are used to playing in a more advanced role but found themselves pegged back by City’s relentless attacking.
Their defensive nature played into the hands of the Premier League champions, who doubled their lead after through Silva’s headed effort in the second half.
Pep’s perfection
Haaland’s goal to give City a 3-0 lead completed a perfect night for the hosts who had executed Guardiola’s game plan impeccably.
Dominant in defence, aggressive in attack and calm on the ball, the Spaniard could not have asked for much more from his players who look to have one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League already.
If it had not been for Sommer, then City could have run riot on the Bundesliga giants, but there will be no complaints from City, who look fearsome on all fronts.
