Real Madrid and Manchester City meet in the Champions League semi-finals again on Wednesday, with high hopes for another thrilling match.
Last week's clash between England and Spain at the Etihad Stadium was an instant classic, with early goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus propelling the hosts to a 2-0 lead inside 11 minutes.
City could and should have scored more goals before the evergreen Ballon d'Or frontrunner Karim Benzema reduced the deficit in trademark fashion, with second-half goals from Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva sandwiched between a sensational Vinicius Junior effort and followed by an outrageous Benzema Panenka penalty that left a thrilling finish.
Arsene Wenger believes Manchester City will beat Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final, but the Premier League side will be vulnerable without Kyle Walker.
After a thrilling game in Manchester last week, City travel to the Bernabeu on Wednesday night with a 4-3 lead.
Walker missed the match after suffering an ankle injury in the previous round against Atletico Madrid, which kept him out for three weeks.
The former Tottenham Hotspur defender returned to training on Tuesday and has accompanied the squad to Madrid.
Wenger believes City will be vulnerable at the back if one of their key players is unable to complete the job in Madrid.
When asked who his favorites are, Wenger told beIN Sports: ‘City. They are the superior team. 'The only issue with City is that they can be vulnerable when Walker is not in that defense. 'When they have [Joao] Cancelo and Walker, they can deal with passes in behind the defenders well. They are more vulnerable when Walker is not present.'
Wenger praised Real Madrid's in-form Karim Benzema, who has scored nine goals in Real's last four Champions League games, in assessing Carlo Ancelotti's side, who were crowned Spanish champions at the weekend.
'I would say they have a normal, if not an average, defense with an exceptional goalkeeper,' said Wenger. 'They have a very skilled midfield with very intelligent decision-makers, but they're a little past their prime physically.' 'They have two strikers, one who does everything you want, every touch he makes is a dream for a guy who loves football, and Vinicius, who can individually create something.'
blogpay
Total Comments: 0