The English football champions Manchester City showed no weakness before the Champions League second leg against FC Bayern on Wednesday in the Premier League. Coach Pep Guardiola’s team easily won 3-1 (3-0) against Leicester City, who were threatened with relegation, and thanks to the win they remain on the heels of leaders Arsenal
John Stones (5th minute) and the Norwegian striker Erling Haaland with a brace (13th/hand penalty/25th) made everything clear for the clearly superior Cityzens in the first half. The former Dortmunder Haaland was then replaced during the half-time break. Guardiola rested his top striker for the game in Munich in four days. Central defender John Stones was also allowed to rest after 45 minutes.
With 32 goals after 30 games, Haaland equaled the record for most Premier League goals in a season with 38 game days. He is only ahead of Andrew Cole (1993-94 season) and Alan Shearer (1994-95) with 34 goals each. However, both set their best marks in seasons with 40 match days.
After 60 minutes, Guardiola also took midfield boss Kevin De Bruyne out of the game early. Manchester did noticeably less as a result and let Leicester do their thing. Kelechi Iheanacho (75′) punished this with his goal to make it 1:3. But the guests couldn’t do more, also because Iheanacho hit the post in injury time.
In the Premier League, Manchester City are three points behind leaders Arsenal. The two competitors will meet in Manchester on April 26 in a direct duel. City has the better goal difference. In the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Man City are the clear favorites after a 3-0 win in the first leg.