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Premier League giants Manchester City set up a tantalizing UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against reigning holders Real Madrid, following a 1-1 draw with German Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
The home side understandably pressed to get on the scoresheet as early as possible, and had a great chance to do so in the 20th minute through Leroy Sane but the German placed his effort wide.
Soon after, City thought they had the numerical advantage when Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano was shown a straight red card for obstructing a clear scoring opportunity, only for Erling Haaland to be adjudged offside in the buildup while Upamecano’s red card was rescinded as a result.
Manchester City then had a golden opportunity to put their noses in front when they were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute, after Dayot Upamecano had handled in the box. Erling Haaland stepped up but failed to beat Yann Sommer from the spot as he placed his effort over the top.
Bayern Munich continued their search for goals in the second half, with Kingsley Coman’s shot just wide off target but the eventual turnover led to the Cityzens opening proceedings on the night.
Kevin de Bruyne did well to locate Erling Haaland, whose first touch beat Upamecano before finding the back of the net with a ferocious shot.
The Bavarians levelled late on in the final ten minutes of the tie, courtesy of a Joshua Kimmich penalty but it wasn’t enough to see the Germans through, as they were eliminated 4-1 on aggregate.
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel was sent off, following two bookings for arguing with match officials. Manchester City will now face Real Madrid in the last-four for a chance to battle it out for a ticket to the Final to be held in Istanbul, Turkey
The hosts are seeking to overturn a 3-0 first-leg defeat suffered at the Etihad last week. The fallout from that fixture saw teammates Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane involved in an altercation, with Mane punching Sane as a result.
Mane received a one-match suspension and was fined subsequently, though it is left to be seen how that would affect the Bayern dressing room. Thomas Tuchel’s side have not had it rosy in terms of results over the past week, drawing their last Bundesliga game 1-1 with Hoffenheim though they still remain of the league.
As for the Cityzens, they will be looking to reach the semi-finals of the UCL since the 2020/2021 season (where they eventually got to the Final). Having won the first-leg comfortably, a positive outcome here in Bavaria will see them progress at the expense of one of Europe’s heavyweights.
Manager Pep Guardiola is returning to the Allianz Arena for the first time since leaving as Bayern Munich gaffer in 2016. The Spaniard enjoyed three trophy-laden years at Bayern but failed to deliver the UCL, though he did reach three successive semi-finals.
No doubt, the chase for the Holy Grail for the Cityzens will be a step closer, provided they do what is needed tonight
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