First hurdle en route to Paris showpiece
Real Madrid travel to the Etihad Stadium for the Champions League semi-final first-leg clash (9pm CET).
The Paris showpiece on 28 May is now just two games away and Manchester City are the final obstacle standing in Real Madrid’s way ahead of tonight's Champions League first-leg meeting between the sides at the Etihad Stadium 9pm CET
Any sort of error at this stage could result in the team bowing out against last season's finalists and the madridistas are aware that they must be fully focused if they are to take an advantage in a tie that will be decided next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu.
All out for 17th European Cup crown
“Real Madrid's history in this competition helps our players”, commented Carlo Ancelotti in his pre-match press conference. Meanwhile, Fede Valverde warned of the threat posed by the English side: “Manchester City are a very good and well-drilled team. We'll have to play with our heads and our hearts”.
Any sort of error at this stage could result in the team bowing out against last season's finalists and the madridistas are aware that they must be fully focused if they are to take an advantage in a tie that will be decided next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu.
All out for 17th European Cup crown
“Real Madrid's history in this competition helps our players”, commented Carlo Ancelotti in his pre-match press conference. Meanwhile, Fede Valverde warned of the threat posed by the English side: “Manchester City are a very good and well-drilled team. We'll have to play with our heads and our hearts”.
The midfielder takes his place in the squad named by the Real Madrid coach, which also features Karim Benzema. The Frenchman comes into the contest having netted in his last three Champions League outings, which have yielded seven of his 12-goal tally in the competition. He is now just one goal away from drawing level with Robert Lewandowski as the leading marksman in this season's competition.
The opposition
Manchester City's record on their own patch shows just what a tough task our boys face. The English outfit are unbeaten at home in the Champions League and have tasted defeat just twice in their 24 home matches this season, with both of these reverses coming in the Premier League W19, D3.
City have come off second best in just one of their last 13 outings. The 126 goals they have notched this term are well spread throughout the squad, although with 23 goals to his name, Riyad Mahrez is a standout performer. Our team face a tough semi-final tie with the reward of a place in the Stade de France showpiece on 28 May awaiting the winner.
The opposition
Manchester City's record on their own patch shows just what a tough task our boys face. The English outfit are unbeaten at home in the Champions League and have tasted defeat just twice in their 24 home matches this season, with both of these reverses coming in the Premier League W19, D3.
City have come off second best in just one of their last 13 outings. The 126 goals they have notched this term are well spread throughout the squad, although with 23 goals to his name, Riyad Mahrez is a standout performer. Our team face a tough semi-final tie with the reward of a place in the Stade de France showpiece on 28 May awaiting the winner.