By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyH3lfgott on Twitter
Welcome to a tantalising clash in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals as Real Madrid and Manchester City lock horns once again in a rematch of last season’s thrilling semi-final encounter. In 23/24, Manchester City emerged victorious over Real Madrid on their path to Champions League glory, leaving the Spanish giants with unfinished business.
As both teams currently find themselves in prime positions in their domestic leagues, with Manchester City trailing Arsenal by just one point at the top and Real Madrid leading the charge in La Liga, anticipation for this showdown is at a fever pitch. With revenge on the minds of the Galacticos and City aiming to maintain their European dominance, brace yourselves for what promises to be a riveting and high-stakes battle on the grand stage of European football. Get ready for a spectacle filled with drama, passion, and hopefully, goals galore.
Team News:
Real Madrid have been dealt some great news as Eder Militao has just returned from a knee injury which has left him sidelined for essentially the entire season. Tuesday may come too soon for the Brazilian to start, but he’ll certainly feature in the squad. Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos is doubtful, while Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba will not play again this season, as they deal with serious injuries.
Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were rested against Crystal Palace on the weekend, so they’ll likely return to their starting positions against Los Blancos. Unfortunately for City, they have some serious defensive issues. Kyle Walker is out. Critically, Vinicius Jr is one of the best left-wingers in the world and he’ll be delighted that he doesn’t have to face Walker, one of the only right-backs in the world with the pace to keep up with him. Nathan Aké also won’t travel with the squad, and Josko Gvardiol who came off at half-time on the weekend against Palace is a doubt.
Key Players:
Real Madrid: Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Jr will be smiling all day knowing that he *probably* doesn’t have to face Kyle Walker. In last year’s semi-final, Vini scored a fantastic goal but Walker often had the better of him. Instead, he’ll come up against a talented but inexperienced Rico Lewis, and he’ll fancy himself. The Brazilian has been a pivotal figure for Real Madrid this season, showcasing a blend of electrifying pace, skill, and a knack for decisive moments.
With his ability to glide past defenders and create scoring opportunities, Vinicius poses a constant threat to opposition defences. With Jude Bellingham feeding him chances, his performances have often been instrumental in breaking down stubborn defences and providing the crucial goals that can turn the tide of a match. As Real Madrid seeks to avenge last season’s Champions League disappointment, they will look to Vinicius Jr to provide the spark and creativity needed to unlock Manchester City’s defence and propel them towards victory in this crucial first-leg encounter.
Manchester City: Phil Foden
This season, Phil Foden has established himself as one of Manchester City’s most influential players, embodying the club’s ethos of attacking football and technical excellence. He’s been unreal. Blessed with exceptional vision, close control, and an eye for goal, Foden possesses the ability to dictate the tempo of the game and unlock defences with his incisive passing and intelligent movement.
His versatility allows him to operate effectively across midfield and in advanced positions, making him a constant threat in the final third. As Manchester City aims to assert their dominance in Europe once again, they will rely on Foden to provide the creative impetus and clinical finishing necessary to overcome Real Madrid’s stout defence and secure a crucial result in this highly anticipated first-leg.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their 25 last games, Real are unbeaten in their last 13
- Pep Guardiola’s City side has faced Real six times. They’ve won four, drawn once and lost once.
Manchester City are the slight favourites, priced at 29/20 on bet365. Real Madrid are the narrow underdogs, priced at 9/5.
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