Real Madrid vs Manchester City Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Spanish giants Real Madrid are all set to host Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Manchester City will hit the road to square up against defending champions Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Los Blancos recently won the Copa del Rey and will head into this fixture high on confidence. Meanwhile, the visitors have recently claimed the top spot in the Premier League. They have a one-point lead and a game in hand over second-placed Arsenal.

The previous meeting between the two teams was in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. It was an edge-of-the-seat thriller that saw Real Madrid come out on top. Manchester City won the first leg 4-3 and managed to score first in the second leg. However, Rodrygo scored a brace late into the second half to level things up and Benzema fired from the spot to guide the Merengues to the final.

Los Blancos have not been at their best of late. They have dropped quite a few points in La Liga and are no longer in the race for the league title despite being second on the table. However, their recent Copa del Rey success would have surely lifted their morale. The team in white are heading into this fixture having defeated Osasuna in the final of the Spanish cup competition. Real Madrid managed to seal a 2-1 win and lift yet another silverware.

While they are heading into this all-important fixture on the back of a win. Overall they haven’t been at their best. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have lost two of their last five matches. And, will hope that they don’t repeat their errors against a deadly City outfit.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s team has been on fire of late. They have been unbeaten in their last 20 matches in all competitions. They have won 17 out of those fixtures. Manchester City were lagging behind in the Premier League title race but this incredible run has helped them claim the top spot with just a few games to go.

Manchester City head into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 over Leeds United. While it was not their best game, the team in light blue have a lot of quality in their squad which can surely make Madrid’s life difficult.

They are on a five-match winning streak and will look to make it six in a row when they square up against Carlo Ancelotti’s team. However, it won’t be easy, as they are well aware of how dangerous a Madrid team can be having been at the receiving last time out. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this fixture and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy for the first leg.

Team News & Tactics

Real Madrid

Los Blancos will be without the services of Eder Militao, who is suspended for the first leg after having picked up three yellow cards in the competition. Meanwhile, Ferland Mendy is yet to recover and will not take part in this fixture.

The most important news for Real Madrid fans is that Luka Modric is expected to start in this fixture. The Croatian midfielder made a substitute appearance in the Copa del Rey final after managing to overcome a hamstring concern.

While Carlo Ancelotti can take the attacking route by deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation, he could have a more defensive approach for the first leg. As a result, he is expected to stick with the 4-3-3 formation.

Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois will take charge in goal. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal will start as the right-back. And, 20-year-old Eduardo Camavinga who has now won every possible trophy with Real Madrid should feature as the left-back. In the absence of Militao, David Alaba will partner Antonio Rudiger in the heart of the defence. The duo will have the difficult task of keeping City’s marksman Erling Haaland quiet.

With Luka Modric back in the thick of things, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde should star alongside the Croatian in the centre of the park. The trio will not just look to dictate the pace of this game but will have to ensure that Kevin De Bruyne is not allowed too much time on the ball.

Rodrygo Goes who was Real Madrid’s hero in their last outing against City will start on the right wing. Vinicius will start on the left and Karim Benzema will lead the attack.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola will be without the service of Nathan Ake, who picked a knock in their last outing against Leeds United. The Dutch centre-back was subbed off after struggling with a hamstring issue. Apart from him, every other first-team player is available for this fixture, and the Spanish manager is expected to go ahead with the 3-4-2-1 formation.

Ederson Moraes will be in goal. Kyle Walker will return to the mix as they look to stop Vinicius in his tracks. Walker will start alongside Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji in a back three. Rodri and John Stones will star in the centre of the park in front of the back three. They will hope to help out their defence in keeping track of the Real Madrid attackers.

Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish will feature as wing-backs. While their major focus will be to attack, the duo will have to help their defence out and try to double up against the wingers of Los Blancos.

Kevin De Bruyne will star alongside Ilkay Gündogan as the attacking midfielder. While De Bruyne is expected to float all around the pitch, Gundogan is likely to hold his position and drop down a little to help them have the majority of the ball. Erling Haaland who has been breaking records since joining City will be leading the line.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Silva, Stones, Rodri, Grealish; De Bruyne, Gundogan; Haaland

Key Stats

• Real Madrid and Manchester City have squared up against each other on ten occasions, both teams have won four games each.
• Manchester City have managed to come out on top in three out of their last four fixtures against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. But, they lost their last outing against Los Blancos 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
• In 2020, Manchester City secured a 2-1 victory against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and could become the first English team to secure away wins at the stadium on multiple occasions.
• Pep Guardiola had only lost twice against Real Madrid in his first 15 matches against them. However, things have changed of late as he has lost three out of his last six games against them.
• Real Madrid have been in excellent defensive form, keeping clean sheets in each of their last three UEFA Champions League matches and not conceding a goal in their last 346 minutes in the competition.

Player to Watch

Luka Modric

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Luka Modric may not have put up impressive numbers in the Champions League this season with just three goal contributions in eight matches. But, the Croatian midfielder remains a vital cog in the Real Madrid machine.

With his exquisite ball control, vision, and passing ability, Modric has the potential to change the course of any game. He is the engine that drives the team forward and is equally adept at breaking up opposition attacks with his tackling and interception skills.

He has a habit of stepping up in crucial moments and delivering match-winning performances. Meanwhile, Modric is closing in on extending his stay at Real Madrid. And Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that his midfield sensation delivers once again.

Prediction

Real Madrid 2-2 Manchester City

It promises to be an exciting encounter with both teams aiming to secure a vital advantage going into the second leg. Real Madrid will be keen to put their league disappointments behind them and build on their recent Copa del Rey triumph.

Meanwhile, Manchester City will be high on confidence, having enjoyed a remarkable run of form of late. Guardiola’s men have been in scintillating form and will look to take advantage of a vulnerable Real Madrid defence. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw in the first leg.