Shalimov Reflects on Manchester City’s Dominant Champions League Win and the Road to Istanbul
Igor Shalimov, a former standout for the Russian national team, expressed astonishment at Manchester City’s thumping 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg. The former player admitted he underestimated City, noting their ability to blend offense and defense into a seamless, coordinated unit. He observed that City’s approach left little room for Real Madrid to respond, turning the tie in a hurry and underscoring City’s clinical execution on the big stage.
Shalimov recalled watching the match with a sense of disbelief. He had expected a tougher fight from Real Madrid and did not anticipate City delivering such a definitive performance. The English side carried a 1-1 score from the first leg into their away domination, and the 4-0 result sealed their advancement with authority. Bernardo Silva delivered a memorable performance with two goals, while Manuel Akanji and Julie1n Af1varez added one each to complete the rout against the defending European champions.
The triumph propels Manchester City into the final, where they are set to face Inter, the Italian club that eliminated Milan with a 3-0 aggregate score. The final contest is scheduled for June 10 in Istanbul, marking a historic showdown as it will be the first official encounter between City and Inter in a Champions League final. The match will gather two storied clubs with diverse histories in European competition as they chase continental glory on one of football’s biggest stages.
Guardiola, who has led Manchester City to continued success in the English Premier League, now faces the potential achievement of becoming a Champions League winner with two distinct clubs. If City prevail in Istanbul, he would join a select group of managers who have conquered Europe with multiple teams, underscoring his enduring capability to navigate the pressures of the tournament and translate domestic dominance into continental success.