image source, AP Average
Manchester City are preparing to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Al-Ittihad Stadium today after the first leg ended in a positive 3-3 draw.
The clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City is considered the most important of the round, given the strength and popularity of both teams, Saudi journalist and sports commentator Isa Al-Mesmar told the BBC.
Real Madrid is considered to be the most successful continental champion with 14 championships, while Manchester City is the holder of the title in its latest edition after winning it for the first time in its career.
Manchester City are close to a second treble in a row if they beat Real Madrid and progress to the semi-finals, especially if they reach the FA Cup final and currently top the English Premier League.
“A Difficult Meeting”
Real Madrid will face difficulties at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester and Al-Mesmer expected to suffer against City as Madrid struggle with teams that focus on possession.
With the return of Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to the City team, according to Al-Mesmer, this will contribute to the recovery of the team's midfield and give it an advantage.
Mesmer continues, “City is starting to play with the character of a champion and knows its way through the competition and is a candidate to reach the finals.”
Real Madrid of Spain and their hosts Manchester City of England were held to a 3-3 draw in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Spain. up to
Ruben Diaz (own goal), Rodrigo and Fede Valverde scored for Real Madrid in the 12th, 14th and 79th minutes.
Madrid “lost chance to decide”
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Sports analyst Al-Mesmer pointed out that the first leg was logical, with Real Madrid at an advantage, as Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior's missed easy chances prevented Madrid from deciding the match.
He insisted that Madrid could have decided the first leg and won by a goal or two instead of drawing at home.
He continued: “City's comeback with a result after Madrid went ahead in the first leg is indicative of the confidence the team gained when they won the competition in its last edition.”
Threatened by lack of players
Four Real Madrid players are at risk of missing the Champions League semi-final first leg if they receive a yellow card against Manchester City.
The quartet includes Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. in addition to midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal, and will be due to an accumulation of cards.
French player Aurelian Soumini will miss today's match after receiving a yellow card during the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The winner of this clash will face the winner of the match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Expected sequence
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Goalkeeper: Andrey Lunin. Defensive Line: Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy.
Midfield: Camavinga, Kroos, Valverde, Bellingham. Offensive Line: Rodrigo, Vinicius Jr.
Goalkeeper: Ederson. Defensive Line: Walker, Stones, Ruben Diaz, Aki.
Midfield: Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne. Forward line: Foden, Grealish, Holland.
Semi Finals and Finals
The 2023-2024 Champions League semi-finals will begin on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, while the return leg will begin on Tuesday, May 7.
The 2023-2024 Champions League Final will be played on the first Saturday of June 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London, the capital of England.
A very graduated champion
14 Titles: Real Madrid, Spain
7 Titles: Milan, Italy
6 titles: Bayern Munich in Germany and Liverpool in England
5 Titles: Barcelona, Spain
4 Titles: Dutch Ajax
3 titles: Manchester United of England and Inter of Italy
