Manchester City have a new weapon up front to unlock Real Madrid’s defence

Manchester City have to beat Real Madrid tonight at the Bernabeu to progress to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League. They enter tonight’s match trailing Carlo Ancelotti’s side 3-2 on aggregate after last week’s first leg. It’s an obvious statement to make that Pep Guardiola’s side needs to score goals to win tonight’s match. But looking at how they beat Newcastle 4-nil last Saturday shows that City have the weapons up front to get at the current European champions.

Omar Marmoush scored a hat trick during City’s win over Newcastle. That was an impressive showing from the Egyptian international. But what was just as impressive was his movement up front. His play and movement in behind the Newcastle defence completely unsettled Newcastle’s defence. It helped him score a hat trick against Eddie Howe’s side. His partnership with Erling Haaland is also beginning to develop. We have seen Real Madrid focus on keeping Haaland quiet before. If they do so again tonight and Marmoush starts, he could prosper, provided that Manchester City supply him with the service he needs. Haaland dropping deeper to receive the ball creates space for his teammates like Marmoush to thrive in. You do feel that it could be crucial to City winning tonight in Madrid.

You do also feel that Savinho should and will start tonight’s match. He has been in sparkling form of late, and his ability to supply Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush with the service they need could be crucial tonight. The same can be said of Phil Foden in midfield and Josko Gvardiol getting forward from left-back tonight. Pep Guardiola’s side has the weapons up front to get at Carlo Ancelotti’s side. You do feel City will have their moments tonight and they must take full advantage of them. They do have the players capable of doing just that.

Manchester City must beat Real Madrid tonight. They will have to score goals to do that and they appear to be well equipped to do so. If Haaland, Marmoush, Savinho and Foden start and play as they did against Newcastle anything remains possible for Pep Guardiola’s side.