Football fans are getting ready to experience another great football match between the Spanish giants Real Madrid and English club Manchester City. The Whites will host the Sky Blues Wednesday (4th May) night in the second leg of the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League 2021/22.
They met in the first leg of this tournament last week, where the football fans experienced a great game on the field. In that crucial 90 minutes encounter in Etihad Stadium (Manchester), the hosts claimed a 4-3 win. While Kevin De Bruyne (2’) and Gabriel Jesus (11’) provided the early leads for the hosts, in-form Karim Benzema (33’) opened the scoreline for the visitors by making it 2-1.
In the second half of that game, Phil Foden (53’) counted another early goal for the Sky Blues. But soon, Vinícius Jr. (55’) shortened the gap to 3-2. Bernardo Silva (74’) made the scoreline to 4-2 for Manchester City before Benzema (82’) recorded his second goal in that game through a successful penalty.
It is not only a battle of the 13-time UCL winners Real Madrid and last season’s UCL runners-up Manchester City, but it is also a battle of two genius European football managers – the three-time UCL winner Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) and the two-time UCL winner Pep Guardiola (Manchester City).
Real Madrid are dominating on the field after Ancelotti’s second arrival in the club at the beginning of this season. Meanwhile, Pep has excellently guided Manchester City to the next level.
Though City have a winning advantage ahead of the return leg, they are definitely not sitting in a comfortable position, especially when they will face the hosts Los Blancos. As there is no more away-goal advantage, the upcoming battle is going to be more significant. Surely, the upcoming 90 minutes of the UCL football match are going to be very challenging and powerful.
Real Madrid
While the in-form forward Karim Benzema is definitely the biggest threat to City, another forward Vinícius Jr., goalie Thibaut Courtois and other players are also in very good form for the Whites. Though Real Madrid suffered only a 4-0 thrashing defeat against Barcelona in the home La Liga games of this season, they have suffered two home defeats in this UCL season (vs Sheriff Tiraspol by 1-2 in the Group Stage and vs Chelsea by 2-3 in the Quarter-finals).
As Real Madrid have already secured the La Liga 2021/22 title, they can now only focus on the UCL matches. They must have to win this forthcoming game to extend their UCL final records to 17 times.
Major team news
Injury concerns: David Alaba (muscle injury), Gareth Bale (back injury), Isco (illness) and Eden Hazard (ankle injury)
Doubtful: No information
Suspension: None
Manchester City
Manchester City started their ongoing Premier League season with a 1-0 away defeat against Spurs. But since then, they are unbeaten in the away PL matches as they are now controlling the tight PL 2021/22 title battle.
On the other hand, City lost two of their away games in the Group Stage of the ongoing UCL season (vs Paris Saint-Germain by 2-0 and vs RB Leipzig 2-1). City at least need a draw to secure their spot for the final of this UCL season. Pep Guardiola’s side always believes in the team game, and they are once again ready to prove it on the field.
Major team news
Injury concern: John Stones (hamstring injury)
Doubtful: Kyle Walker (recovering from ankle injury), Nathan Ake (lower-body injury)
Suspension: None
