The Champions League quarter-finals have started. The first legs have just ended and several lessons can already be learned. Winner 3-0 of Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City should compose their ticket for the last four without too many problems. A semi-final which risks being a remake of last year. Real Madrid has indeed won 2-0 on its ground against a poor Chelsea which does not seem collectively equipped to turn the tide.
Barring a miracle, the Merengues will find the Mancunians in the next round. In the other half of the table, Inter pulled off a tour de force by winning in Lisbon (2-0) against Benfica. Lombard football was also at the party since AC Milan also won against Napoli (1-0). And here are the eleven players who deserve to compose the typical team of the first leg. A starting lineup articulated in 4-3-3. Immediately called upon from the start of the match, Mike Maignan answered present, before releasing a phenomenal parade at the very end of the match, avoiding the Neapolitan equalizer.
Manchester City a force
In front of him, a four-man defense. The right-back position is occupied by the Swiss Manuel Akanji. The former BVB resident has never been faulted by the arrows of Bayern Munich. Unfailing solidity. At his side, a 100% Mancunian central hinge with Ruben Dias and Nathan Aké. The Portuguese was still monstrous by saving Ederson several times. As for the Batave, he extinguished Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry. Finally, he confirms day by day that Didier Deschamps was right to test her as a left-back. Against Chelsea, Eduardo Camavinga once again held his rank. The Frenchman ate Raheem Sterling and intercepted a bunch of hot balls.
The midfielder has a strong Lombard accent. Decisive scorers against Napoli and Benfica, Ismaël Bennacer and Nicolo Barella showed an overflowing activity. They are accompanied by the conductor of Manchester City, and also scorer of a beautiful shot from the left, Rodri. Finally, in terms of attack, again difficult not to put a player from Pep Guardiola. They are even two with Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland. Preferred to Riyad Mahrez, the Portuguese blasted the right side of the Mancunian attack and even offered himself a headed goal. An achievement he owes to his Norwegian teammate. Author of the 45th goal of his extraordinary season, Haaland does not touch many balls in a match, but he has again demonstrated all his science of the collective by his choices, while maintaining formidable efficiency. At their side, Vinicius Junior completes this trio mixing explosiveness and sense of goal.
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