The clash of the titans on this rainy evening in Manchester was more like heavyweight boxing against a featherweight. Manchester City and Bayern Munich are used to grinding their rivals, especially the Bavarians who, when they smell the weakness of their rivals, often cannot stop hitting, but this time they were the victim of a stronger opponent. Much stronger and as seen tonight, but also in some earlier matches of the German giant this season, it is hard to believe that Bayern will manage in eight days in Munich to make up for the three-goal deficit.A beautiful goal by Rodri, then a gift from Upamecano spiced up by a masterful heel pass by Grealish and finally a goal by Haaland gave the Citizens a big 3-0 lead and brought on the verge of the Champions League the semi-finals.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Dissatisfied with how the team looked and the relationship between the players and Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern decided to change coaches during the March international break. Thomas Tuchel was chosen, but the shock therapy is not working (yet). The debut match of the former coach of Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea seemed promising. It was in the big German derby in which his new club won 4-2 against his former team, but it turned out to be just a semblance of an excellent move by the Bayern administration. In the very next game, Bayern were eliminated from the national cup by Freiburg (1-2), then defeated the same rival in the championship by an unconvincing 1-0 – and then tonight’s debacle happened.The Bavarians did not look bad for the most part of the match, although they were behind after a world-class strike by Rodri in the 27th minute. The blackout came only in the last twenty minutes, after Dayot Upamecano completely lost his focus. The French international went from one mistake to another, undeniably one of the best defenders of today, but tonight he looked like an amateur. Jack Grealish took advantage of one of the ‘gifts’ he gave the home team with uncertain reactions in the 70th minute. The Englishman managed to steal the ball from him in front of the Bayern penalty area, then he passed the ball with his heel to Haaland, and the Norwegian unselfishly assisted Bernardo Silva.Haaland spotted the Portuguese appearing in the background, sent a lofted cross and enabled him to head into the scorers. Admittedly, Yann Sommer could have reacted better in that situation, but the Swiss was in trouble tonight, especially in the second half, so not much can be said to him about the three goals conceded. Especially with the third, he was the least guilty, when John Stones managed to find the lonely Haaland with a brave header pass.The Norwegian took advantage of the ball that appeared to him in the 77th minute and signed his first competitive victory over Bayern Munich after seven defeats. Erling Haaland hinted that there would be better days than those he had wearing the Borussia Dortmund jersey during the summer, when he was the only scorer in a friendly match between these two clubs.The result of the match does not say so, but Bayern had their chances. The visitors were the first to threaten in the match, when Ruben Dias managed to block Musiala’s shot with an excellent intervention. Just two minutes later, City took the lead, but Leroy Sane woke up at the end of the first half. He had a great shot in stoppage time in the first half, then two more attempts at the beginning of the second half. Not long after his return from the halftime break, Ederson was threatened by both De Ligt and Coman. It seemed in those moments that we would get what was expected: an uncertain fight not only until the end of this match, but also the rematch, but then Upamecano entered the scene.Fortunately for the hosts and for the disbelief in the camp of the German champions.Although they should not be underestimated, the fact is that the Bavarians are on their knees and it will be difficult to get back into the fight. Primarily because the coach is new, and there is not much time to make the changes he wants until April 19.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEQuarter-final, first legTuesdayMan.City – Bayern 3-0 (1-0)/Rodri 27, SIlva 70, Haaland 76/Benfica – Inter 0-2 (0-0)/Barella 51, Lukaku 82 pen/Wednesday22:00: (1.80) Real Madrid (3.60) Chelsea (5.10)22:00: (2.90) Milan (3.10) Napoli (2.80)***odds are subject to change***
