Manchester City

The English Premier League has charged Manchester City with more than 100 breaches of financial rules for actions that took place between 2009-18, per Katie Falkingham of BBC Sport.

The club has been under investigation since December 2018, although the EPL accused Manchester City of not cooperating during this time.

Manchester City responded to the allegations in a statement:

Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.

The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.

The matter will be turned over to an independent commission, per Falkingham.

According to Martyn Ziegler of the Times, there are a "range of sanctions" possible if the breaches are proven, including expulsion from the league.

The squad entered Monday in second place in the Premier League table with 45 points in 21 matches, trailing Arsenal by five points.

Italian giants Juventus were deducted 15 points in Serie A last month as a result of transfer dealings. The club dropped from third in the league to mid-table and could find itself in a relegation battle rather than competing for a place in the Champions League.

Manchester City have transformed into one of the top clubs in the world since being purchased by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008. The team has won the Premier League title in each of the last two years with six total championships since 2012. The Citizens haven't finished lower than third since 2010-11.

The club has notably been extremely aggressive acquiring top players, spending €2.3 billion on transfer fees since 2008, per Transfermarkt.

The £100 million signing of Jack Grealish in 2021 was a British record until it was broken last week by Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez.

Last September, Manchester City was not among the eight clubs fined by UEFA under Financial Fair Play rules, although the governing body said it will monitor City closely going forward.

La Liga president Javier Tebas also made a formal complaint against the club after the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

"[City] must have done something, because Haaland asked the clubs for more apart from the 60 million that have been paid," Tebas said in June.

The latest allegations raise further questions about Manchester City's financial practices.

Manchester United sits atop the Premier League.

Well, at least in terms of overall value. On Tuesday, Sportico released its full list of Premier League valuations, with the Red Devils coming in at No. 1 (figures in USD):

1. Manchester United: $5.95 billion
2. Liverpool: $4.71 billion
3. Manchester City: $4.43 billion
4. Arsenal: $3.6 billion
5. Chelsea: $3.47 billion
6. Tottenham: $3.19 billion
7. West Ham: $665 million
8. Everton: $600 million
9. Leicester City: $545 million
10. Newcastle United: $440 million
11. Leeds United: $380 million
12. Aston Villa: $370 million
13. Crystal Palce: $335 million
14. Wolverhampton Wanderers: $295 million
15. Southampton: $275 million
16. Fulham: $260 million
17. Brighton & Hove Albion: $235 million
18. Brentford: $200 million
19. Nottingham Forest: $160 million
20. Bournemouth: $145 million

Per Sportico, "The valuation estimates are built around multiples of revenue based on recent comparable transactions. They are meant to be enterprise values—equity, plus net debt—for a control sale, as limited partnership transactions can often be done at a premium or discount based on the circumstances."

Manchester United has long been one of the most prominent sports franchises in the world, so it isn't a major surprise that it tops the list. What United hasn't done is topped the Premier League table since the 2012–13 season.

No Premier League club has won more than United's 20 league titles, with Liverpool a close second at 19. Like United and Arsenal, the Reds are a legacy brand and have consistently been one of England's most decorated clubs.

Manchester City burst upon the scene after receiving an influx of cash from owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who bought the club alongside the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008. They've won six EPL titles since and have emerged as one of the biggest and best clubs in European domestic football.

Chelsea has seen much upheaval since the change in ownership from Russian oligarch and billionaire Roman Abramovich to a new ownership group led by American Todd Boehly, though the Blues remain one of the most prominent and recognizable clubs in the world.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have attempted to keep pace after Manchester City and Chelsea rose in prominence in the 21st century. After Spurs, the drop-off in valuations is steep, with West Ham and all subsequent clubs falling below the $1 billion mark.

Some clubs may continue to climb the ranks, however. Newcastle has seen a 63 percent bump in value across the past two years, largely down to the acquisition of the club from an ownership group led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

"With an EPL club, you own a team in the best and most watched football league in the world's favorite sport," Inner Circle Sports co-founder Steve Horowitz told Sportico. "It is the attraction for American investors and those from every corner of the globe."

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty on six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by an English jury Friday.

According to the BBC, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on separate counts of rape and attempted rape, and prosecutors intend to seek a retrial at a later date.

Mendy was charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in August 2021, which prompted Manchester City to suspend him pending the outcome of the investigation. More charges were leveled that November and December.

During the trial, crown prosecutor Timothy Cray described Mendy as a "predator" who violated women's consent "over and over again."

"It is another chapter in a very old story: men who rape and sexually assault women, because they think they are powerful, and because they think they can get away with it," Cray told the jury in August.

In September, the prosecution declined to continue pursuing one count of rape. The judge told the jury to find Mendy innocent of that charge as a result.

The 28-year-old has maintained his innocence throughout the process, and his lawyer said he's "delighted" to have been acquitted following the verdicts..

A statement has been released on behalf of Benjamin Mendy: pic.twitter.com/NA7KZYBscX

— Dan Sheldon (@Dan_Sheldon_) January 13, 2023

Manchester City also issued a statement on the matter:

Manchester City FC notes the verdict from Chester Crown Court today, where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven charges. The jury is hung on two charges and the trial is now over.

Given there are open matters related to this case, the Club is not in a position to comment further at this time.

Mendy has remained suspended by the club since the punishment was first issued. His last appearance for City came in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Aug. 15, 2021, to open the 2021-22 season.

Mendy's contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

Manchester City announced Friday it has agreed to a two-year contract extension with winger Riyad Mahrez.

The extension will keep the 31-year-old veteran, who joined the club on a transfer from Leicester City in 2018, under contract with Manchester City until June 2025.

Mahrez said of the extension: "I'm very happy to sign the new deal. I have enjoyed every single minute of my time here. It’s a pleasure to be part of such an incredible club."

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain also commented on the deal:

"Riyad has played a major part in our success in the four years since he joined us, and we are all delighted he has agreed this new deal. 

"He has brought so much to the Club with his skill, talent, commitment, and desire to win evident from the moment he first arrived. I also know that [manager] Pep [Guardiola] and the coaching staff relish working with Riyad.

"He is one of the most exciting wingers operating in the game and we are all very excited to know he will be part of our ongoing drive to try and achieve more success."

Mahrez was a key figure in Leicester City's shocking English Premier League title in 2016, and he has continued his winning ways since joining the Sky Blues.

In four seasons at Manchester City, Mahrez is a three-time EPL champion, three-time EFL Cup champion, one-time FA Cup champion and one-time Community Shield winner.

Manchester City also finished as the runner-up in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League, falling 1-0 to Chelsea in the final.

The Algerian star has steadily increased his goal output during his tenure with Man City, scoring 12 across all competitions in 2018-19, 13 the following year, 14 the year after that and a career-high 24 last season.

Manchester City has won four of the past five EPL titles, and with Mahrez in the fold for the next few seasons, the Citizens are strong candidates to continue their reign atop the Premier League.

It's not Cristiano Ronaldo, but Chelsea has finally made its first signing of the Todd Boehly era, landing Raheem Sterling on a $66 million deal from Manchester City, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Sterling's contract with the Premier League side runs through 2027 and has the option for an additional year, Romano added.

The news of Sterling's deal with Chelsea comes after the Mirror's John Cross reported that Liverpool made a last-minute bid for the England international. Boehly's club also beat out Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona for his services.

Sterling's services became less of a need at the Etihad following the addition of Jack Grealish last summer. In addition, City can rely on new transfer Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez in attack.

That said, Sterling is a solid addition to manager Thomas Tuchel's squad for the 2022-23 season and beyond. The 27-year-old notched 13 goals and five assists in 30 Premier League matches for Manchester City last season, in addition to three goals and two assists in 12 Champions League matches.

Sterling had been with City since 2015. In his seven seasons with the club, he tallied 91 goals and 43 assists in 225 Premier League matches. Before that, he spent four seasons with Liverpool from 2011-12 to 2014-15.

Sterling should be an upgrade from Romelu Lukaku, who was ultimately a disappointment in his return to Stamford Bridge in 2021-22. After he tallied eight goals in 26 matches, the Blues ended up loaning Lukaku to Inter Milan for the 2022-23 season.

Sterling should also mesh well with a Chelsea attack that includes Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.

While Chelsea has signed Sterling, the club could also push to sign Ronaldo from Manchester United this summer. The Portuguese superstar reportedly wants to part ways with the Red Devils, who were initially hesitant to move him, so he can play in the Champions League next season.

However, Sky Sports recently reported that United is finally willing to listen to offers for Ronaldo.

Boehly met with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, in Portugal last month to discuss the possibility of the Portuguese forward joining the Blues, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein and Dan Sheldon.

So, it seems like a move to Stamford Bridge isn't out of the question for Ronaldo at this point. If the Blues were to acquire him, their chances of winning a third Champions League trophy would skyrocket.

What a final day. 

Manchester City, needing a win to guarantee itself a fourth Premier League title in five years, found itself trailing Aston Villa 2-0 after 69 minutes. Liverpool, needing a win and for City to drop points to win a title in its pursuit of the hallowed quadruple, found itself down 1-0 after three minutes and even at a goal apiece at halftime. 

The stage was set for fireworks, and boy did it deliver. 

Liverpool scored two goals within a five-minute span in the dying embers of its game, only to miss out on a title by one point after City shockingly scored three goals within five minutes late in the second half. 

BEDLAM AT THE ETIHAD!

İlkay Gündoğan's second goal of the match wins Manchester City the title.

📺: @peacockTV #MCIAVL | #ChampionshipSunday | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/AZZjFWIXvc

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 22, 2022

Scenes. Absolute scenes. And for many football supporters, it was further proof that the Premier League is the top domestic league in the world:

Right now the @premierleague is the best league in the world.
I don’t want to hear anything from anyone trying to disagree.
⚽️⚽️⚽️

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 22, 2022

Best league in the world. Don’t wanna hear about these other Uber Eats leagues bro…

— chuboi 🇳🇬🇨🇦 (@ChuBoi) May 22, 2022

The Premier League is the best league in football and it isn’t even close

— Conn (@ConnCFC) May 22, 2022

Manchester City concede 2 goals at the Etihad against Aston Villa and score 3 goals in 5 minutes to clinch the title!
The English Premier League- The best league in the world!!!

— Frank Edoho (@frankedoho) May 22, 2022

https://twitter.com/rtjxynwa11/status/1528426610122452992

You will never see anything like the MF #PremierLeague.. Wow👏

— Lee 🌹 (@ChelsLee86) May 22, 2022

What a league..
What a final day...
Imagine not liking football..
Man city...the champions.#PremierLeague

— Firdous Mir (@Firdous06589171) May 22, 2022

City's remarkable comeback—highlighted by Ilkay Gundogan's brace (76th- and 81st-minute goals) and Rodri's game-tying tally (78th minute)—was reminiscent of its title from 10 seasons ago, when Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero scored stoppage-time goals against Queens Park Rangers to give City a 3-2 win and a title over rival Manchester United on the final day of the season. 

It was the first of six titles City has won in the past 11 seasons, with Pep Guardiola guiding the club to four of them. 

And now, England's most talented and expensive team gets world-class striker Erling Haaland next season to add to its riches.

Heck of Premier League title race but I fear it won’t be close next year with Haaland

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 22, 2022

Look out below. 

Manchester City announced Tuesday a deal has been agreed in principle to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Manchester City can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022.

The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player.

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 10, 2022

Per the Guardian, Haaland has a release clause of around £51.5 million ($63.5 million) and will earn roughly £350,000 ($431,000) a week on his new contract from Manchester City, which will begin on July 1.

OFFICIAL: Manchester City announce they have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign Erling Haaland 🌟 pic.twitter.com/OOwqXMUYyT

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 10, 2022

Because of his relatively modest buyout clause, many expected Haaland to be on the move this summer. He's one of the best young players in the world, and Dortmund appeared to be limiting his ceiling.

The German side is second in the Bundesliga but 10 points behind champions Bayern Munich with one league game left. Dortmund also failed to make it past the group stage of the Champions League this season.

Haaland wasn't going to be long for Signal Iduna Park following yet another prolific campaign. He scored 21 goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances and three goals in as many UCL appearances.

87 – Erling Haaland has scored a goal on average every 87 minutes in the #Bundesliga; the best minutes per goal ratio of any player in the league’s history (min. 25 goals). Farewell. @OptaJoe @ManCity pic.twitter.com/Yah778Sp0g

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) May 10, 2022

Manchester City makes perfect sense for the 21-year-old Norwegian. The club is on course to win its fourth Premier League title in five years, and the most glaring area of need within the squad is at striker.

City has scored more goals (89) than any other club in the Premier League, but it lacks the sort of totemic figure to lead the attack that Sergio Aguero was when he called Etihad Stadium home. Raheem Sterling is the leading goalscorer at 12, and the pair of Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez are right behind him with 11.

In Haaland, Manchester City might have the star who can finally deliver the Champions League triumph long coveted.

Erling Haaland has the best minutes per goal ratio in Champions League history.

The striker to bring Man City the trophy? 🏆👀 pic.twitter.com/c5jqolX6bs

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 10, 2022

A possible risk surrounds whether Haaland will naturally fit within manager Pep Guardiola's system.

Barcelona had similar intentions when it signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2009. Barca won La Liga but exited the Champions League in the round of 16 as Ibrahimovic proved to be an insufficient solution up top. The Swedish legend was gone the following summer and has never hid his general disdain toward Guardiola.

Have no doubt Erling Haaland is a talented player but will be interesting to see how his success at Man City will be judged by two factors: how consistently fit he’ll be in a grueling season and how Pep uses him as a link up player or a poacher who’s always attacking the spaces.

— Roberto Rojas (@RobertoRojas97) May 10, 2022

As great as a Guardiola/Haaland partnership looks on paper, the on-pitch returns will hinge on how well the promising attacker can adapt to what's likely to be a slightly more supporting role than he had at Dortmund.

Manchester City is reportedly "weighing up" a potential offer for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba when he becomes available on a free transfer this summer.

ESPN's Rob Dawson reported Saturday that Pobga is "open" to switching to the blue side of Manchester, but fellow European giants Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are viewed as the early favorites to land the 29-year-old France standout.

City will be in the market for a potential Fernandinho replacement during the summer window. The longtime Sky Blues midfielder confirmed his intention to play in his native Brazil next season.

"I want to play. I will go back to Brazil," he told reporters. "I decided with my family, which is the most important thing for me."

Pogba is going to come at a hefty price wherever he lands, but City believe the lack of a transfer fee on top of his salary demands make him a "manageable" target, per Dawson.

The midfielder has remained a key cog in the United attack this season with one goal and nine assists across 20 Premier League appearances. He failed to record a goal or assist in six Champions League matches, though.

He's expressed frustration about the lack of club success since he joined United in 2016.

"You have to be honest, the last five seasons have not satisfied me—really not at all," Pogba said. "This year it is dead, we won't win anything. Whether it is with Manchester United or at another club, I want to win trophies."

So it would qualify as a surprise if he returns to Old Trafford next season, especially given the interest from other clubs.

Pogba previously played for Juventus from 2012 through 2016, while joining PSG would represent a chance to play in his native France alongside some of his national side teammates.

City offers the chance to remain in the Premier League, but it's unclear whether that ranks on the star midfielder's list of desires as he heads toward the transfer market.

For now, the Sky Blues are focused on trying to hold off Liverpool for the league title. They lead by one point with four matches to play.

For 89 minutes, Manchester City imposed its will on Real Madrid, leading 1-0 on a Riyad Mahrez rocket and 5-3 on aggregate.

And then Los Blancos did what they always seem to do—they won.

Two regulation goals and one extra-time goal later, and Real Madrid had its 3-1 win (6-5 on aggregate) and its berth in the Champions League final against Liverpool.

It should be a match for the ages. First, we'll recap the winners and losers from Wednesday's instant classic, a game that won't soon be forgotten.

---

Winners: Rodrygo and Karim Benzema

From the depths of despair to the pinnacle of joy, courtesy of Rodrygo and Karim Benzema.

First, it was Rodrygo, the second-half substitution, scoring two goals within a minute of each other at the death to force 30 minutes of extra time:

THE GOAL THAT GAVE REAL MADRID HOPE. ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/KZGXCNa9fU

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022

TWO GOALS IN TWO MINUTES FROM RODRYGO TO LEVEL THE TIE. BERNABEU BEDLAM! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UAr6zwvhm2

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022

Rodrygo’s introduction had been a turning point against Chelsea top.

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) May 4, 2022

And once the game headed to extra time, was there really any doubt who would provide the crucial moment?

KING KARIM IS INEVITABLE.

REAL MADRID SHOWING WHY THEY ARE THE KINGS OF EUROPE. 💥 pic.twitter.com/nWF0itchuO

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022

Karim Benzema just keeps on scoring 📈🇫🇷

Where do you rank him among French strikers all time? pic.twitter.com/VDF5ES48Wj

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 4, 2022

⚽️ Most knockout goals in a single Champions League season:

▪️ Cristiano Ronaldo = 🔟
▪️ Karim Benzema = 🔟#UCL pic.twitter.com/gbGs2Zgc5e

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 4, 2022

Of course not. It was always going to be Benzema.

---

Loser: Pep Guardiola's Champions League Legacy

Yes, Pep Guardiola has won the UCL twice. He's undoubtedly one of the game's iconic managers.

But he last did so in the 2010-11 season with Barcelona and since then has watched some truly talented clubs bottle excellent opportunities.

Another #ChampionsLeague collapse for Manchester City, this one the worst of the lot. A late game meltdown that defies explanation. A heavy burden for Pep, who was outmaneuvered by Ancelotti.

— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) May 4, 2022

What a game. Guardiola and City will start to feel there's a curse on them on them in the Champions League. But you just can't blow a match-winning lead in stoppage time

— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) May 4, 2022

Manchester City go out to Real Madrid - but Pep Guardiola will be staggered with how his side have thrown away their place in the final. To concede two goals in injury time is unacceptable.

Real Madrid vs Liverpool in the final is a fascinating clash.

— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) May 4, 2022

Surely not another year of this, Pep.

— Nick (@NickRTFM) May 4, 2022

There is nothing more delightfully hilarious than watching Pep Guardiola and Manchester City concoct increasingly ridiculous ways to not win the Champions League.#RMAMCI

— Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) May 4, 2022

City, with as good a roster as money can buy, never got past the UCL quarterfinals in Guardiola's first four seasons on the job. Then it reached the final last season, only to lose to rival Chelsea. And now, with plane tickets to Paris all but purchased and hotel rooms booked, City inexplicably watched its lead evaporate in a minute.

Today marks the first time that Manchester City concedes multiple goals in the 90th minute or later in a match under Pep Guardiola.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 4, 2022

And in the process, Guardiola's legacy took another hit, as City still seeks its first-ever UCL title.

---

Winner: Real Madrid's Unrelenting and Inevitable Magic

There is just something special about this Real Madrid side. There is something in the air at the Santiago Bernabeu. Remember, Manchester City was completely in control of this tie.

Until it wasn't.

Everyone: “Game over. City in the final.”

Real Madrid: pic.twitter.com/NF5B3fqpq6

— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) May 4, 2022

Santiago Bernabéu nights, where the impossible happens. #UCL

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 4, 2022

https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1521955976202571778

Only #Madrid

— Graham Hunter (@BumperGraham) May 4, 2022

Real Madrid make no damn sense.

— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) May 4, 2022

This is one of the wildest things I’ve ever seen and I saw Real Madrid against PSG and Chelsea.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) May 4, 2022

When you take City's propensity for blowing its UCL chances with Real Madrid's habit of magically surviving despite all odds being against them, well, Wednesday's result almost isn't surprising in hindsight.

It sure was brilliant in the moment, though.

---

Loser: Ruben Dias

So many people could be picked out for City. The defense notably melted down in the waning moments of this game.

But despite City giving up a two-goal lead in the blink of an eye, it still had a chance to win in extra time or force penalties. Instead, a sloppy challenge from Ruben Dias sent Benzema to the penalty spot, and the rest is history.

Now people will realise why CBs shouldn’t fling themselves to ground too often when it’s unnecessary. Dias was punished in the Euros for that & he’s now been punished in a CL semi-final. Those type of CBs are not the best pure defenders in the world.

— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) May 4, 2022

https://twitter.com/HB_HeadCoach/status/1521962537243316225

That made Dias the most logical option for the second loser spot. But go up and down City's roster and you'll find other players deserving as well. Players who didn't mark Rodrygo in the final moments or left golden scoring chances wanting.

They just didn't make the mistake that ended it. That distinction belongs to Dias.

Real Madrid stunned Manchester City on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid to earn a place in the Champions League final.

The Spanish giant won 3-1 in extra time to claim a 6-5 aggregate victory in the semifinals.

Karim Benzema delivered the decisive blow from the penalty spot in the 95th minute. Ruben Dias brought the French striker down in the box, and Benzema wasn't going to let a golden opportunity go to waste.

KARIM BENZEMA. NO DOUBT 🥶

(via @TUDNUSA)pic.twitter.com/VFdXpT7bwp

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 4, 2022

It was a spectacular collapse from Manchester City, which held a two-goal lead going into the 90th minute. The club has experienced plenty of bitter defeats on the European stage under manager Pep Guardiola, but this might yet be the toughest pill to swallow.

Today marks the first time that Manchester City concedes multiple goals in the 90th minute or later in a match under Pep Guardiola.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 4, 2022

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City defy belief in the Champions League. How has it happened again?!!!!!!

— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) May 4, 2022

Although Manchester City leads Liverpool by one point in the Premier League, this might be considered an underwhelming season since the wait for a European triumph goes on for another year.

The two clubs combined for perhaps the most dramatic match of the knockout stages in the first leg. City walked away a 4-3 victor, with Benzema capping off the scoring in the 82nd minute to give Real Madrid some hope heading into the second leg.

Especially with no away-goals rule, the tie was finely poised. Between playing at home and having the most in-form striker in the world, some might have argued coming in Madrid was in a slightly advantageous position.

"There's a really good atmosphere in the dressing room and we’re really looking forward to the game," star midfielder Luka Modric said. "... We're confident in our ability to turn the tie around. We weren't at our best in the first leg, but still managed to score three goals."

Those hoping for fireworks Wednesday on par with the first leg were likely disappointed early on.

Bernardo Silva had a goal-scoring chance from close range in the 20th minute, but Thibaut Courtois reacted quickly to make the save.

Courtois with a HUGE reaction save. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/2d8YfoFuOM

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022

Benzema's attempt was off the mark in the 43rd minute, and the French forward was ruled offside anyway.

The performance of Kyle Walker was a big reason Manchester City maintained a clean sheet in the first half. Vinicius Jr. terrorized the left flank in the first leg and scored one of Madrid's goals in that fixture. Thanks to the efforts of Walker, the Brazilian winger registered little impact this time around.

0 - Vinícius Júnior didn't complete any of his four take-on attempts in the first half (0/4), while Kyle Walker made more tackles than any other player (3). Guardian. pic.twitter.com/PpN9h2xYtA

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 4, 2022

Neither Manchester City nor Real Madrid appeared to be willing to take too many risks, which wasn't totally unexpected in the case of City given its aggregate lead. What the match lacked in end-to-end action, it had in terms of drama with the chess match between Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.

At that enthralling stage where both could reasonably claim they have the other where they want them. City have slowed it down to the point there’s none of the chaos necessary for Madrid comebacks. But that pace doesn’t completely suit City, leaving them susceptible to one moment

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) May 4, 2022

City's patience finally paid off in the 73rd minute. Silva got the ball on the edge of the center circle and had acres of space ahead of him. The Portuguese winger bore down on the Madrid goal before laying a pass off to Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian international hammered a shot into the near post and past Courtois.

RIYAD MAHREZ. DAGGER 👊

(via @TUDNUSA)pic.twitter.com/lfI9jMoZNx

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 4, 2022

Just as the match was inching toward an anticlimactic conclusion, Rodrygo got a goal back for Real Madrid in the 90th minute. The Bernabeu suddenly came to life as the supporters attempted to push the home side over the finish line.

In a matter of moments after he found the back of the net, Rodrygo once again rose to the occasion—quite literally. Marco Asensio fired a cross into the box that was headed in by the Brazilian in the first minute of injury time.

TWO GOALS IN TWO MINUTES FROM RODRYGO TO LEVEL THE TIE. BERNABEU BEDLAM! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UAr6zwvhm2

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022

As much as there was an immediate sense of inevitability to Rodrygo's second goal, that carried over to extra time. Real Madrid simply wasn't going to throw this away.

Having gotten so close to the final and watched it slip away, Manchester City's players had little time to recover mentally before extra time. Guardiola had also subbed off Kevin De Bruyne for Ilkay Gundogan in the 72nd minute. That left City without its best playmaker when it badly needed a goal.

Fernandinho was only fractionally wide of the target when he got on the end of a header by Phil Foden. Courtois made a diving save, which left Fernandinho with a difficult finish.

What a save from Thibaut Courtois. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/2nDDHUgqvF

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022

That proved to be City's best shot at forcing a penalty shootout.

For Real Madrid, Liverpool now awaits in the Champions League final on May 28 at Stade de France outside Paris.

The match will provide the Reds with an opportunity to avenge their loss to Madrid in the 2018 final. Los Blancos, meanwhile, can lift the European Cup for the 14th time, which would be double the next closest club, AC Milan.