The Champions League is back in action from tonight. Manchester City will host Real Madrid in what will be a mouthwatering tie. The first leg score at the Bernabeu was 1-2 in favour of Manchester City.
Real Madrid has an uphill task. Not only are they behind on aggregate score, but they will also be without their captain Sergio Ramos. He was shown a red card after he caught Gabriel Jesus from behind on the edge of the box after the Brazilian got through on goal.
Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne were the heroes for Manchester City in their win at the Bernabeu. But going into the second leg, Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is confident that they have in them what it takes to upset Manchester City.
Varane said on Ramos’ absence: “I think Sergio is a very important player for us, but we know that we are a group where we all have our role. For example, I always help my team-mates, it is my way of playing and I like to cover others. In the locker room, I talk a lot with my team-mates about the tactic, that will never change.”
“To win the Champions League we have to be a strong group, with many leaders, we know the importance of Sergio, but we all have to play a great game to qualify.”
Varane said in his virtual press conference that he is confident about Real Madrid progressing to the next round: “I have experience in this competition, we know how tough it is to win it. We’re full of confidence, we have to attack and be clinical. We’re up against good opposition who play some nice football, are very good going forward, and we have to be offensive and attack well.”
“We know these games are decided by the finest of details, so we have to be clinical in both areas, that makes the difference in these games – we have to play with high levels of intensity and concentration. We know we need a strong group full of leaders if we’re going to win the Champions League and that won’t change.”
“We come into the game full of confidence after our recent results and more rested than we would have been had we played the match in March. We hope we’re ready to win it.”
Real Madrid will have to put in a herculean effort to overcome Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad stadium on Friday night.
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