Champions League preview: Man City vs Real Madrid
The nightmare sequence that saw Man City win one game in 13 fixtures may be at an end. But Pep Guardiola’s team still seem a long way from their best as they head into this Champions League encounter with reigning champions Real Madrid on Tuesday.
In the FA Cup at the weekend, City won a hard-fought victory over Leyton Orient, the visitors eventually winning 2-1 after a momentous long range shot from the O’s Jamie Donley had deflected off City keeper Stefan Ortega in the 16th minute.
City still look vulnerable
Prior to that, City had suffered a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal in the Premier League earlier this month. And in the Champions League, City recently lost 4-2 away to Paris-Saint Germain, having gone 2-0 up early in the second half.
In short, City still look vulnerable. Yes, Real may be happy to bide his time, seeking to take care of business at the Bernabeu in the second leg. But Carlo Ancelotti may also spy an early opportunity to get this tie effectively done and dusted.
For City, Erling Haaland is obviously a formidable threat – but perhaps not against Real Madrid. In four previous meetings with the team in this competition, the Norwegian has failed to find the net. Can he get off the mark at the Etihad?
He should at least have a few opportunities. Real are missing the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao.
With the visitors not as defensively solid as they’d hope and City shipping goals galore when compared to their former standards, it would be no shock to see plenty of goalmouth action. When these sides met last year, the first leg in Spain ended 3-3…
Over 3.5 goals is an 11/10 shot.
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