Up next for Manchester City is the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg clash with Real Madrid. It promises to be another enthralling encounter between the past two winners of the prestigious competition. Based on their last two wins over, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace Pep Guardiola’s side should head into the game at the Bernabeu full of confidence.
The European champions have scored 8 goals in their past two games. After their scoreless draw with Arsenal, the goals have flowed for Manchester City. The free-flowing football associated with Pep Guardiola’s team has returned. City do appear capable of getting at Real Madrid when the opportunity arises in a hostile environment. Manchester City also head to Spain on the back of a 25 game unbeaten run in all competitions. This shows just how formidable an opponent they will be for the La Liga leaders.
It appears to be no coincidence that City have looked like themselves recently with Jack Grealish back in the lineup. The England international is a valuable weapon for the treble winners. With Grealish back in the starting eleven, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne have shone. With the key trio appearing to be in form, they could form an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s plan to leave Madrid with a positive result.
However, the world champions will have to tighten up defensively against the attacking might of Real Madrid. City know that they can score at the Bernabeu based on their last two performances. But they will have to neutralize the attacking threat posed by Real Madrid. The threat of Real, especially on the counter appears to loom large in tomorrow evening’s match. If the European champions do tighten up defensively coupled with their confidence going forward they will be a tough nut to crack for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
READ MORE: A hostile atmosphere awaits Manchester City at the Bernabeu.
Manchester City will also be buoyed by the knowledge that they have successfully navigated the challenge posed by playing Real Madrid at home last season. Their 1-all draw at the venue last season appeared to be the moment Manchester City grew up in club football’s biggest competition. They will carry that knowledge into Tuesday’s big match. It may prove crucial to City’s hopes of taking a positive result back to the Etihad Stadium for next week’s second leg.
The world champions will arrive in Madrid full of confidence. They have looked more like themselves in their past two games, especially in the final third. This, coupled with the experience of last season, means that taking on Real Madrid should hold no fear for Pep Guardiola’s team. It promises to be a spectacular match and one that Manchester City are capable of winning if they perform at their best at both ends of the pitch.
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