In the first match of the Champions League’s eighth-final confrontation, Manchester City defeated Real Madrid at the Bernabeu – 1: 2. This means that Madrid have at least two goals to score today at the Etihad.
Real Madrid’s attack today is not as strong as it once was. Zidane will certainly try to attack, though perhaps more on a counter-attack, which will allow the Castilians to make better use of City’s weaknesses.
It has become known that Sergio Aguero will not be able to play today, which is a big thought for Guardiola. The Catalan let Bernardo Silva play in Madrid on a false nine, while Jesus attacked from the left-wing – even now, he will have to think of such a surprise.
Whoever puts Guardiola ahead will no longer have to worry about Sergio Ramos, as the captain of the Spanish national team received a red card in the last minutes in the first match. Real Madrid have indeed won 15 of the last 16 matches without him, but Ramos is still a great force in the big games.
It is noteworthy that only Ramos and Karim Benzema scored more than four goals from Real Madrid in La Liga this year. Zidane’s main hope in Manchester will probably be Benzema.
“I think we have a better team …” Guardiola told a news conference. “But we should prove it on the pitch.” When asked about his chances of winning the City League, he replied: “I feel we are ready for it.”
Interesting Facts
- Cityzens have won their last seven home games without conceding a goal. The Cityzens scored an average of 3.86 goals.
- Real Madrid are not the same team they were before Pandemic – Madrid have won 10 of their last 11 La Liga games, celebrating La Liga victories.
- Real last played a draw in the Champions League in November 2016.
- Gabriel Jesus has scored in 4 of his last 6 City matches in the first half.
- In the last seven quarter-finals, Real have won all seven of their away matches.