One-time Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji after the unsung duo helped Manchester City hammer Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg.
Rarely does a plan come together quite like this, even for a coach of Pep Guardiola’s ilk and experience. This was one of those nights when no one dipped below an 8/10. When everyone stood up to be counted.
One of those nights which seemed to suggest that, as far as Man City’s long-standing Champions League dreams are concerned, this year might just be the year.
That Rodri wondergoal, curled home with his weaker left foot, preceded a Bernardo Silva header and a typically ruthless Erling Haaland tap-in at the Etihad Stadium. In fact, if it wasn’t for Yann Sommer’s ability to defy gravity and bend physics to his will, 3-0 could have become four. Perhaps even five.
One of the finest defenders of the modern era, however, was keen to shine a light on those at the other end of the pitch following one of Man City’s finest European performances.
Manuel Akanji produced perhaps his best display in Sky Blue. Alongside him Nathan Ake, arguably the most improved member of Guardiola’s squad, was in one of those ‘you shall not pass’ sort of moods on the opposite flank; the Balrog of Bayern vanquished.
Manchester City hammer Bayern Munich in Champions League
“Wow. The back four… Akanji and Ace were exceptional,” Manchester United legend Ferdinand tells BT Sport (11 April, 10pm).
Ruben Dias, meanwhile, reminded everyone why some were crowning him Europe’s finest centre-half a year or two ago. That vital early block to deny Jamal Musiala with the score at 0-0 epitomising his rock-solid display.
And that’s without mentioning John Stones; moonlighting as a central midfielder. Is there anything Stones cannot do at present? Any position he cannot play?
“Dias, the amount of blocks was phenomenal,” Ferdinand adds. “And Stones with and without the ball was great as well. That was the platform.”
Man City will travel to the Allianz Arena for the second-leg on April 19th.
“I know what we have to do there, and we have to perform really well,” sighs a breathless Guardiola. “(Bayern) are able to score one, two, three, I know it and the players know it.
“It was an incredible result but we have to do our game with a huge, huge personality because they are a top team.
“Here we have our chances. Here in this stadium we are something special this season. When we have the momentum we are clinical.
“It is the same in Munich. I have been there for three years. I know what it means and the people. But we are going there to score the goals and to try to win the game. To do that will be so difficult.”
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