2 years ago
Man City vs. Real Madrid
Following one of the most spectacular first-leg encounters in recent memory, Real Madrid and Manchester City meet for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night at the Bernabeu.
Pep Guardiola's side won a gripping 4-3 battle at the Etihad Stadium, but the Spanish capital is no stranger to stunning European comebacks.
Carlo Ancelotti's side quickly dusted off their shooting boots to thrash Espanyol for four goals without reply and clinch La Liga title with four games to spare at the weekend, and a domestic and European double would undoubtedly remind the footballing world of their long-standing continental dominance.
Los Blancos, on the other hand, came back from a one-goal deficit to defeat Paris Saint-Germain.While Los Blancos fought back from a one-goal deficit to knock off Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 stage this season, the capital club has never proceeded to the final after losing the first leg of a semi-final, and history cannot repeat itself if a 14th European crown is on the line.
Man City will come at Real's HQ on the back of a four-game winning streak in all competitions, during which they have scored an incredible 16 goals at a rate of four per game, and they have only conceded one goal in their past nine road games, but that may not be enough to beat Benzema and co.
City's win over Real in the first leg was their third in a row.Only Ajax and Bayern Munich have ever beaten Real three times in a row, so the second leg has a lot to live up to.
Prediction
The best form of defense for Man City is to attack, especially with Benzema and Vinicius Junior capable of scoring goals for the Spanish champions out of nowhere.
Real Madrid's likely starting XI is as follows:
Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr. Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
Manchester City's starting lineup:
Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Jesus, Foden; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Silva, Rodri.
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