Manchester City hosts Real Madrid
Two giants will face each other again because on Friday Manchester City hosts Real Madrid in a second leg from the Champions League 1/8-finals. Let’s take a look at this match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. We expect some great emotions!
Manchester City have the advantage after the first leg in Madrid. Maybe some people didn’t expect it, but Pep Guardiola’s side achieved a precious 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid’s Isco scored first, but the English side turned it around with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne. Now they have the upper hand in this tie.
While the result from the first leg is a problem for Real Madrid, it’s not the only one. The manager Zinedine Zidane can’t use his most influental player and captain of the team – Sergio Ramos. The Spanish international got sent off in the first match, so most likely Eder Militao will take his place in defense. At the same time Marcelo is sidelined with an injury as well, so we shall expect to see Ferland Mendy getting the starting spot.
Manchester City are dreaming of their first Champions League trophy and they believe that this could be the season to take it. The win at the Bernabeu will give the Cityzens a lot of confidence, but this advantage is far from enough to make Real Madrid feel defeated.
Guardiola is probably worried of the terrific form Real Madrid have shown in La Liga after the quarantine break. Los Blancos won the title without a defeat and they were arguably the best team in Spain. At Manchester City they must expect a very difficult second leg against the most successful club in Champions League’s history.
What’s our conclusion? Despite Manchester City’s win in Spain, Real Madrid are showing fearsome form lately and they will be full of confidence when they enter the Etihad’s pitch.