Manchester City and Real Madrid are set for another thrilling encounter as they prepare for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie, with a place in the semi-finals on the line.
Following the 3-3 draw at the Bernabéu last week, the two sides will be eager to secure the victory that will propel them into the next stage of the competition.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are brimming with confidence heading into the match, having warmed up perfectly with a 5-1 demolition of Luton on Saturday, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League.
The Citizens will be buoyed by their impressive record against Real Madrid, having won 4-0 in the corresponding fixture last season. A victory in this match would also see them equal the club’s record of 42 consecutive home matches without defeat, set between 1919 and 1921.
City will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of AC Milan, who are the only team to have eliminated Real Madrid from the European Cup/Champions League in two consecutive seasons.
Real Madrid Face Uphill Battle
Real Madrid, 14-time European champions, are not accustomed to being underdogs. However, they face a daunting task in this match, having won just one of their last seven encounters.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged that his team will need more than just physical strength to progress to their fourth consecutive Champions League semi-final. They will need to summon their mental fortitude and tactical prowess to overcome the challenge posed by Manchester City.
Real Madrid’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals will be further tested by their poor record in England against City. They have never beaten the Citizens on English soil, losing all three of their previous meetings.
Key Players to Watch
Joško Gvardiol: The young defender has emerged as a potential goalscoring threat for Manchester City, having scored after the 70th minute in both the first leg against Real Madrid and against Luton on Saturday.
Jude Bellingham: The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is the joint-leading assister in the Champions League before the second legs of the quarter-finals.
Interesting Statistic: There has not been a goal scored in any of the last 13 half-times played between these two teams.
Prediction
This is a difficult match to predict, with both teams capable of winning. However, Manchester City’s home advantage and their impressive record against Real Madrid could give them the edge. I’m predicting a narrow 1-0 victory for City.
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