Man City gear up to take on 13-time Champions League winners at the Etihad Stadium tonight for what is shaping up to be a mouth-watering Last 16 second leg tie.
Having reigned victorious 2-1 at the Bernabeu back in February, with comeback goals courtesy of Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne, City appear to be in the driving seat but still have work to do if we’re to meet either Juventus or Lyon in the quarter-finals.
Manager Pep Guardiola, however, will be boosted by another Madrid absence as £350,000-per-week star Gareth Bale was left out of Zinedine Zidane’s 24-man squad – with Sergio Ramos and Mariano Diaz also missing the clash.
A sigh of relief…
During the Galacticos’ last European final win, a certain Bale stole the headlines with his sumptuous overhead kick against Liverpool, staggering audiences with the brilliant strike that came seemingly out of nowhere.
Despite having his moments for the La Liga giants, tension between the player and club has been well covered, with Bale sporting a flag which hinted both Wales and even playing Golf come before the importance of Madrid.
This couldn’t have come at a better time from City’s point of view, with Real now missing Bale, Ramos and Diaz (COVID-19).
Vital Man City’s preview and prediction…
While Madrid will be missing a selection of star names, City have to be at their very best if they hope to edge out a side that has reached four finals over six seasons since 2014.
Indeed, Zidane’s team have been here before many times, and the Sky Blues will also be without Sergio Aguero.
Regardless, if we manage to replicate our performance at the Bernabeu, City should manage to do enough to squeeze past Madrid and into the last eight – possibly with a nervy 2-1 victory (De Bruyne, Sterling).
How the team could look…
Guardiola’s status as a serial rotater has been well established over 2019/2020, having made more changes than any other manager in the Premier League this season, but we still think this side isn’t beyond the realms of possibility…
City: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Cancelo; Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Silva; Foden, Jesus, Sterling.
The final verdict…
Bale’s absence is a boost for us, undoubtedly, but Madrid still pose a huge threat and Guardiola must avoid defensive capitulation at all costs and protect our away goals advantage.