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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

De Bruyne reaction and Cancelo reception in moments you may have missed in Man City win over Bayern Munich

Manchester City have enjoyed one of their greatest European nights after putting Bayern Munich to the sword 3-0 at the Etihad.

It was an enthralling game in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie which was finely poised for over an hour before City truly took control. Pep Guardiola's side went ahead in a competitive first half through a remarkable screamer from Rodri.

Bayern came out all guns blazing after the break, though, and forced Ederson into action on several occasions but the Blues gradually took control and doubled their lead when Bernardo Silva poked home after Jack Grealish had capitalised on a mistake from Dayot Upamecano and Erling Haaland delivered a perfect cross.

Also read: Man City player ratings against Bayern

Haaland himself grabbed his customary goal six minutes later as he volleyed home John Stones' excellent header. The dominant scoreline stands City in great stead ahead of the second leg in Germany.

Here are five moments you may have missed from an enthralling night.

Warm welcome for Sane

Former City fan-favourite Leroy Sane started for Bayern in his first match back at City since returning to his homeland in 2020. The winger was probably Munich's most dangerous player and tested Ederson several times with some stinging shots.

Fans remember the great work he did in blue and gave him a warm welcome back to Manchester with a round of applause when his name was read out on the team sheet pre-match. It was certainly a better reaction than some of his teammates got...

Cancelo booed

While a former player in Sane was warmly welcomed, a current one in Joao Cancelo was not. The full-back left City for Munich on loan in January after growing frustrated with his lack of playing time. He was eligible to play in the match and was brought on with the clock ticking down, perhaps surprisingly, he was met by loud boos from the home faithful.

Every touch Cancelo had on the ball in his brief cameo was roundly jeered as well. It doesn't bode well given it's unlikely his stay in Germany will be made permanent in the summer.

De Bruyne wasn't happy

Hearts were in mouths when Kevin De Bruyne stayed down near the touchline after stretching to reach the ball and appearing to slip on the greasy surface on a typically torrential Manchester spring evening. A replacement was immediately readied as he looked in pain but he got back up and returned to the field.

It was clear the Belgian was struggling though as he sported a grimace on his face and, taking no chances, Guardiola moved to take him off. De Bruyne was replaced by Julian Alvarez but wasn't happy with the decision. It was obvious he was annoyed with the decision and brushed Guardiola off as he walked past him to take his seat in the dugout.

Thankfully, his absence after another fantastic display didn't have a negative impact as City scored twice soon after his departure.

Yet another Haaland record

It was of little surprise when Haaland grabbed his goal to make it 3-0 and yet more records have been smashed as a result. The strike was his 45th of the season which means he has now scored more goals in all competitions in a single campaign than any Premier League player in history.

With up to 15 games left to play, that record could be stretched to a point where only one man will ever be able to beat it again. Haaland himself.

Guardiola not happy with the ball boy

Guardiola is known for his intensity and even with City three goals up, Bayern crumbling and only five minutes left on the clock he refused to relax. So much so that, according to Darren Fletcher on BT Sport's commentary, he couldn't even help 'having a go' at a ballboy for the way he gave the ball back to a Bayern player at a throw-in.

He may be forgiven due to how stressful the match was, as he admitted afterwards: "It was not comfortable. I am emotionally destroyed!"

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