Bernardo Silva reveals his most memorable Man City moment: “Real Madrid couldn’t make three or four passes”
The Portuguese star recalled City’s unforgettable 4-0 Champions League rout of Real Madrid as his farewell approaches.
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva says the club’s unforgettable demolition of Real Madrid in the 2023 Champions League semifinals remains the defining moment of his career at the Etihad.
In an interview with The Athletic, Silva reflected on the night Pep Guardiola’s side overwhelmed the Spanish giants 4-0 to book a place in the Champions League final. Silva scored twice that evening, while Manuel Akanji and Julián Álvarez added the other goals in one of the most dominant European performances of the Guardiola era.
Bernardo Silva relives Manchester City’s iconic win over Real Madrid
“This is the Real Madrid game,” Silva said after recognizing a photo of his goal celebration from the second leg at the Etihad Stadium in May 2023.
“If I could choose one game, one moment, to experience again… The stadium was on fire, the atmosphere was fantastic. For me personally, this game was maybe the best memories I have at the club.”
Silva explained that what made the victory so memorable was not just the scoreline, but the way City completely controlled the reigning European champions from the opening whistle.
“The way we started the game, the way we attacked them, they couldn’t make three or four passes,” he said.
“To create that feeling in a team like Real Madrid, the kings of Europe at the time, to do that to that team and to win 4-0 at home, it was an incredible night for us.”
The Champions League triumph Silva had dreamed about
The Portuguese international also admitted the victory carried extra emotional weight because it paved the way for Manchester City’s long-awaited Champions League title.
“This was finally achieving the dream we had waited for so long, with so many frustrations,” Silva said.
“Along with the World Cup, winning the Champions League is the top of the tower.”
Silva’s comments come as he enters the final stretch of his Manchester City career. The midfielder still has two Premier League games remaining this season, plus Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, before leaving the club this summer.
His next destination has yet to be confirmed, but Silva’s place in Manchester City history is already secure after nearly a decade of success under Guardiola.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.