![]() ![]() Silva’s diminutive frame belies a tenacious personality that fuels his non-stop movement from the right wing and ability to close down opponents’ passing lanes. Silva has saved his best moments for the Champions League, starring with a goalscoring display in their 3-0 quarterfinal first leg win over Bayern Munich earlier this season. Guardiola has so much trust in Silva’s diligence and footballing intelligence that he even played him as a fullback with license to move into midfield on occasions this season. The 28-year-old has played 52 matches this season, featuring in all but four games with seven goals and seven assists. Thanks to Silva, City can look forward to the second Champions League final in their history after losing the 2021 showpiece against Chelsea. Yet he had appeared cursed at times in the competition after City endured a series of painful exits. Guardiola has won the Champions League twice as a manager with Barcelona in 20. That would be a fifth title in six season for City, who also face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3.īut it is the Champions League that has been City’s holy grail since Guardiola’s appointment in 2016. Guardiola’s men can clinch the Premier League title with a victory against Chelsea on Sunday, or by taking three points in either of their following two matches. Real went on to lift the trophy, but City ended their reign in ruthless style and are now within touching distance of winning the Champions League for the first time.Ĭity face Inter Milan in the final in Istanbul on June 10, and Silva will surely be at the heart of what Guardiola hopes is the final leg of their treble charge. Silva’s masterclass ensured City avenged a heartbreaking loss to Real in last year’s Champions League semifinals, when the Spaniards scored twice in the final moments of the second leg before winning in extra-time. The Portugal midfielder bagged two clinical goals and produced a sublime individual performance as City vanquished the Champions League holders with a 4-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland’s record-breaking goal spree and De Bruyne’s peerless passing have fueled City’s surge toward a remarkable treble in recent weeks.īut it was the understated Silva who stole the spotlight on a cathartic evening for a club desperate to rewrite their tortured Champions League history. Prior to City’s 4-0 rout of Real Madrid in Wednesday’s semifinal second leg, the tie was billed as the stage on which Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne would underline their immense star power. ![]() MANCHESTER: Bernardo Silva was a fitting catalyst for Manchester City’s majestic march into the Champions League final as one of Pep Guardiola’s trusted lieutenants stole the spotlight on a defining night for his manager.
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