Manchester City Vs Real Madrid: UCL Semi-final 2nd leg Preview

Manchester City host Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-final 2nd leg at the Etihad Stadium. SPORTSRATION presents a preview.

AGGREGATE SCORE

The 2nd-leg in Manchester will get underway with both teams delicately poised for a final place following a 1-1 aggregate score in Madrid last week Tuesday.

Vinicius Junior had fired Madrid in front but Kevin De Bruyne struck a worldie to level scores and reserve the rest of the battle for the game in Manchester.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE MATCH BE PLAYED

Manchester City and Real Madrid will lock horns on Wednesday May 17, 2023 at the Etihad Stadium by 8pm.

ABOUT THE MATCH

The puzzle of who will face Inter Milan in the final of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League will be solved on Wednesday night.

A draw will stretch the game to extra-time and possibly the lottery of penalty shoot-outs to determine the winner.

Last year, Madrid went past City to reach the final of Europe`s most prestigious club competition. That year, the semi-final 2nd-leg took place in Madrid.

Manchester City’s home advantage and red-hot form which has seen them go without a loss since early February make them slight favourites on paper, but take nothing away from Real Madrid’s Champions League pedigree.

The Citizens are eyeing a first Champions League title, a deafening difference to defending champions Real Madrid who are targeting a record-extending 15th title in the competition.

FORM [ Last five games ]

Manchester City:  W W W D W

Real Madrid: L W L W D W

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City possible starting X1: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland

Real Madrid possible starting XI:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Kroos, Camavinga, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

SPORTSRATION SAYS

Two of the best managers in World Football at the moment, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. Expect a tactically spectacle that will be decided in the final 25-minutes.

There should be two or more goals in this one.