Ferdinand hails Man City's first-half 'MASTERCLASS' versus Real Madrid

Posted on : 05/17/2023
Ferdinand hails Man City's first-half 'MASTERCLASS' versus Real Madrid
Soccer 

‘They’ve been made to look like a rabbit in headlights’: Rio Ferdinand hails Manchester City’s first-half ‘MASTERCLASS’ against Real Madrid as Bernardo Silva nets TWICE in a superb 45 minutes for the hosts

  • Manchester City took a crucial two-goal lead into half time against Real Madrid
  • Rio Ferdinand described the first half at the Etihad as an absolute ‘battering’
  • Bernardo Silva’s double put City one step closer to facing Inter Milan in the final 

Rio Ferdinand lauded Manchester City’s first-half ‘masterclass’ as Bernardo Silva scored twice to hand Pep Guardiola’s side a crucial two-goal advantage during the Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The hosts flew out of the gates with swagger and confidence, testing Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois twice early on, before Silva finished off a well-worked opener to hand City the lead at the Etihad.

The Portuguese international headed home City’s second in the 37th minute to cap off a scintillating first-half display from the Premier League champions, who dominated Carlo Ancelotti’s side in every department.

Ferdinand insisted the reigning Champions League winners looked like ‘rabbits in headlights’ at half time, hailing Manchester City’s ‘masterclass’ in the BT Sport studio.

‘Well, well, well. That is an absolute masterclass,’ the Manchester United legend said. 

Bernardo Silva scored twice to hand dominant Manchester City a two-goal lead over Real Madrid at half time during their Champions League semi-final second leg on Wednesday night

City captain Ilkay Gundogan helped his side dismantle Madrid in midfield during the first half

‘They have been dominant from the first whistle, they’ve absolutely taken the game away from Real Madrid. 

‘And we’re talking about a team steeped in history, a club steeped in history and that understand this tournament, with great players on their team. 

‘They’ve been made to look like rabbits in headlights. Like they don’t understand what this game is. 

‘This has been a battering. We’ve been sitting here gasping at times the way City have kept the ball and still created opportunities.’ 

Manchester City made Real Madrid look like ‘rabbits in headlights’, according to Rio Ferdinand

The Manchester United legend (centre left) and ex-Real Madrid forward Michael Owen (far right) were blown away by the reigning Premier League champions during the half time break

Blown away by the reigning Premier League champions, fellow pundit Michael Owen added: ‘I simply don’t know how you play against this Man City team when they’re playing this well. What can you do? 

‘We can try and pick holes, maybe (Eduardo) Camavinga could come back in there (for Silva’s first goal). 

‘In fact, he comes out and presses the ball and needs to stay in the left-back position, but we’re splitting hairs. This team is absolutely impossible to defend against.

‘There are so many people who run forward for Manchester City, you’ve even got centre-halves charging forward. What chance have you got? That was as big a mauling as I’ve seen in a long long time.’ 


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