According to a report from the Times, UEFA have handed Man City the prospect of losing their home advantage against Champions League giants Real Madrid in our return Last 16 tie – with the Sky Blues already 2-1 up after an impressive victory at the Bernabeu.
As supporters anxiously await the result of our appeal against a two-year ban from the competition, with the verdict expected on July 13, UEFA may now have given City another factor to take concern with over the potential loss of an Etihad return against the Galacticos.
Will this affect Man City's hopes of winning the Champions League?
Yes
No
Indeed, as per this report, City and a host of other big clubs who remain in the competition are ‘lobbying hard’ for the right to play their return fixtures at home as opposed to in Portugal on neutral ground.
UEFA reportedly want all last 16 second-legs to be played in Lisbon next month as they plan to see out the remainder of this year’s Champions League competition in a mini-tournament format – with the Sky Blues looking set to face off against La Liga leaders Madrid.
As per the Times, most remaining clubs are fighting this proposal unless government rules intervene, with City now facing a potential obstacle with the absence of home advantage.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne set City on their way to an historic first ever win at the Bernabeu after Isco opened the scoring, with Sergio Ramos also being sent off later in the match for a foul on Jesus.
Even though fans will be absent regardless, it looks as if Pep Guardiola and co will miss the chance to put Madrid to the sword in Manchester.