When Manchester City plays host Real Madrid, Kolo Toure believes Jack Grealish is prepared to leave his mark on the biggest platform of them all.
Kolo Toure, a former defender for the team, claimed that Jack Grealish is prepared to be "the X factor" for Manchester City against Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final match.
Toure praised the winger's individuality and fearlessness with the ball in advance of what many have deemed to be City's biggest test thus far this season in its pursuit of the treble.
After their opponents' spectacular comeback against his team in the 2017 semi-finals, Pep Guardiola's team will be anxious to defeat Los Blancos.
Erling Haaland has been cited by analysts and supporters as being the key differentiator for City after a record-breaking debut season in Manchester that saw him score 51 goals across all competitions.
With the first leg of their last-four match taking place on Tuesday, Toure believes City may end up depending on Grealish to help them finally win the coveted Champions League title.
Before the match at Santiago Bernabeu, Toure told Stats Perform about Grealish, "He is such an effective player and for me it is unique players like that who win the Champions League because he has that X factor."
"It's just the way he is. They need him in the Champions League, he isn't afraid, and he enjoys receiving the ball under intense pressure.
"I believe he will be really important for them in the upcoming Champions League games,"
Grealish won't need to be reminded of City's humiliating 6-5 aggregate loss after extra time last season in Madrid, where they held a two-goal lead with one minute remaining in the second leg.
The Englishman was in the spotlight as City tried to prove that the tie was unassailable.He watched as Ferland Mendy cleared a shot off the line before amazing Thibaut Courtois saved from him as chances passed him by.
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