Man City to battle Real Madrid after outclassing Bayern

Man City beats Bayern Munich 4-1 on aggregate to reach the Champions League semifinals for the third year in a row. Pep Guardiola praises his team's c

Erling Haaland celebrates his goal against Bayern Munich on Wednesday as Man City storm into the semifinals where they will meet Real Madrid. (Photo credit: Sporting News)

Man City stormed into the semifinals of the Champions League for the third time in a row after a 1-1 second-leg result against Bayern Munich in Germany.

The Cityzens did the hard work on home turf last week when they beat the Bavarians 3-0, and they knew more of the same would get the job done.

It was going to be a perfect double until Joshua Kimmich converted from the spot late in the game for the hosts.

The Champions League crown remains the holy grail for Man City, and having failed to land it when they made it to the final in 2021 against Chelsea, the reigning Premier League champions will face 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid in the semifinals.

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for his players composure and professionalism over the two legs. Man City didn’t only manage the game well.

They also demystified Bayern and the strength within the squad, but you must ask questions of the Bavarians too.

Bayern Munich fired head coach Julien Naggelsman a week before the tie with Man City and replaced him with Thomas Tuchel, who had experienced success in the past against Guardiola.

But the move failed in epic manners, as Bayern now face only the league title as the silverware on the table this season.

Erling Haaland scored the important goal that ended the hopes of the Bavarians in the second half after missing a penalty late in the first half.

The hosts levelled late in the game to force a draw on the night, but the aggregate score line stood at 4-1.

"I am so happy to be three in a row in the semifinals [with City]," Guardiola, who coached Bayern from 2013-16, said. "I could not expect [Bayern] differently; you saw how good they are."

"In this competition, it is in the details. In these two games, we were there at the right moments.

"In the second half, we adjusted some things, and since minute one in the second half, we felt we were much, much more in control."