Real Madrid will be looking to secure their place in the round of 16 of the Champions League when they host Manchester City for the second leg of this knockout tie.
Manchester City and Real Madrid have been two of the biggest clubs in Europe in recent history, but things have not been going their way this season. While they have often clashed against each other towards the business end of the Champions League, a poor league phase meant they had to battle it out for a place in the last 16.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team managed to secure a 3-2 win at the Etihad in the first leg. It was Los Blancos’ first-ever away win over City. Despite not being at their best and trailing by a goal on two occasions on the day, the team in white bounced back and got the job done.
While they have a one-goal advantage heading into this home fixture, the Champions League holders are well aware of the fact that things won’t be that easy for them. Pep Guardiola’s team will go all-out attack as they need to win this fixture by a margin of two goals to book their place in the next round.
Los Blancos are heading into this fixture on the back of a disappointing draw in La Liga, while City thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 a few days ago, and they will be confident about their chances of scripting an incredible comeback here. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
The home team have received a massive boost ahead of the second leg as Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba both trained with the team and should be available for selection. Meanwhile, Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain on the sidelines.
Carlo Ancelotti will stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will continue in goal. Federico Valverde will continue at right-back, while Ferland Mendy should return to the starting XI. In the heart of the defence, Rudiger could come in and partner Raul Asencio.
Aurelien Tchouameni could be pushed back into the midfield. He should start alongside Eduardo Camavinga as the double pivot. Jude Bellingham did pick up a red card in their last La Liga outing, but he remains available in Europe. He will feature as the no. 10, while Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior will be on the flanks, and Kylian Mbappe will continue to lead the line for Real Madrid against Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe
Manchester City
Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake should both be back in the mix after being rested for their league fixture against Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji has joined Oscar Bobb and Rodri on the sidelines.
Pep Guardiola’s team could line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation for this fixture, with Ederson in goal. Matheus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol should be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Ruben Dias should partner with Nathan Ake.
The Manchester City back four will look to stop a star-studded Real Madrid attack, and they will receive significant support from Nico Gonzalez who will take up the role of a defensive midfielder.
Savinho and the hat-trick hero from the Newcastle fixture, Omar Marmoush should feature on the flanks providing the much-needed width. Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne will be seen in central roles. They will try to control the tempo and create chances for their star striker Erling Haaland, who could become the youngest and the fastest to 50 Champions League goals with a strike in this fixture.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez; Savinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland
Key Stats
- Real Madrid and Manchester City have squared up against each other on 13 occasions in the UEFA Champions League, and both teams have four wins each.
- Los Blancos’ 3-2 win in the first leg was their first-ever away win against City in the UEFA Champions League.
- Three out of the last five Champions League meetings between the two teams have ended in a draw in regulation time.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s team last lost to Manchester City at home during the 2019/20 season.
- Manchester City have failed to overcome Real Madrid in two of the last three Champions League seasons, and they will be determined to prevent that trend from extending to a third.
Player to Watch
Antonio Rudiger
Without any of their first-choice right-backs and centre-backs, Los Blancos secured a 3-2 win away from home. Since they already have a goal lead, Real Madrid will look to ensure they keep things tight at the back and get the job done against Manchester City.
Rudiger, who has been one of the best centre-backs in the world in recent seasons, should be back in the XI, and he will be trying to help his team keep a clean sheet against one of the best attacks in the world. The experienced defender has an exceptional head-to-head record against Erling Haaland, and will look to maintain it when Real Madrid and Manchester City meet this week.
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Manchester City
While both teams have not been at their best, Real Madrid have still managed to get the desired result on most occasions, but the same cannot be said about Manchester City. They did smash Newcastle United last time out but going up against Carlo Ancelotti’s men is never easy. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for the home team.
