“Of course it’s my goal, I touched the ball”

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The flank is soulful. Kicked by Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian’s high ball finds Manuel Akanji’s head – he nods away through Real defender Eder Militao. The stadium is turned upside down in honor of the Swiss defender, who also shows a class performance. It is his first goal in ManCity kit – and even the first ever Swiss goal in a Champions League semi-final.

And the decision in this blockbuster duel in the premier class. “Of course it’s my goal,” says a happy national defender after the game in the mixed zone. “I touched the ball. And when the ball hits the target, it’s my goal,” Akanji explains.

After this 4-0 win, the man from Winterthur is the sixth Swiss player to reach the final of the Champions League (after Chapuisat, Sforza, Senderos, Lichtsteiner and Shaqiri). The big game against Inter will take place on June 10 at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. Akanji is optimistic. “We are not afraid. We play our game and go there to take the trophy,” he says.

City is favorite against Inter

And City go into the final as favourites. Especially after the impressive performance against Real Madrid. The English played power football from the start. The Los Blancos from Madrid could barely breathe. “It was one of the best team performances I’ve experienced with this team,” says Akanji. And adds: “This is the best team I’ve ever played on.”

Things are going really well in Manchester: they are unbeaten in 23 competitive games and unbeaten in all 12 Champions League games. And the hunger for the title is great: not a single player in the selection has yet won the royal class.

But before the big duel against Inter there is another treat. Sunday’s game against Chelsea. At home. Then City can clear the championship. “I hope we will,” says Akanji. After the two successes with FC Basel, it would be his third national title of his career. (Mom/Wednesday)

Source : Blick