Guardiola's City, FA Cup champion and one step away from the treble
The precision of Ilkay Gundogan from the edge of the area gave the second title of the season for Manchester City, champions of the FA Cup after a close victory against Manchester United at Wembley (2-1). Two goals from the German midfielder, one with each leg, settled the final for Pep Guardiola's team, who held on to their lead in an exciting finale, where Raphael Varane hit the crossbar with a header for the red devils.
Two weeks after sealing their Premier League title, the citizens took the second step towards that historic treble that they can complete next Saturday in the Champions League final in Istanbul. Despite not offering the best of their football, City proved superior to Erik ten Hag's team, with more strength, but without success against the goal in the last minutes.
Nor did he specify the champion of Erling Haaland's best afternoon, blurred against United's center-backs and with no options to fatten his astronomical figure of 52 goals in five competitions. The scant influence of the Norwegian was more than mitigated by Gundogan, author after 12 seconds of the fastest goal in the history of the FA Cup finals.
High pressure
After the center kick, for Stefan Ortega's long pitch, headed by Haaland and fought by Kevin de Bruyne, the ball remained on the balcony of the area for the German international, author of a huge shot with the right that David de Gea he could only follow with his gaze. A tough setback for United, noticeably inferior during the first half hour, marked by high pressure from their rival.
However, an inattention by Jack Grealish, who was late to close out a raise by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, triggered the tie.. The former Aston Villa footballer deflected an aerial ball with his left hand and after a VAR call, Paul Tierney awarded a penalty. Bruno Fernandes, with a subtle low shot, beat Ortega from 11 meters to make it 1-1. A ray of hope for United, who were competing with intensity, showing some of the virtues that have allowed them to score 22 of the last 27 points at stake in the Premier League.
13 titles since 2016
In any case, City's wide offensive repertoire came out again shortly after returning from the break. And he did it with a lucky volley from Gundogan, who crowned the strategic action served by De Bruyne from the crescent of the area. The former Dortmund player's left foot slipped between the defenders' legs and De Gea was also unable to reach the ball near the base of his right post.
United's final harassment, with more desire than football and more strength than precision, took shape in the internships of the recently admitted Alejandro Garnacho and the centers on Ortega's domain. Ten Hag did everything in their power to repeat their Carabao Cup success, but firm resistance from their opponents allowed Guardiola to lift his 13th title in seven seasons with City.
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