Real Madrid will host Manchester City in the first leg of the 2023-2024 Champions League quarter-finals, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, on Wednesday (10/4) at Midnight IST. The two teams also met each other last season.

Manchester City’s ambition to defend the Champions League title will be tested by Real Madrid. Previously, the two teams had also faced each other in the semifinals last season.

At that time, Man City held Madrid 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Then, in the second leg, The Citizens won handsomely with a score of four goals without reply. In the end, Man City came out as champions after beating Inter Milan in the top match.

Therefore, both teams are believed to know each other’s strengths. Moreover, Madrid and Man City also did not make many player changes. The coach behind the wheel is still the same.

Interestingly, according to statistics, Man City often makes it difficult for Madrid in the Champions League. In the last six matches, Los Blancos have only won once. The rest are one draw and four defeats.

In addition, currently, Man City is on a positive trend after always winning in the last 10 matches in the Champions League.

However, Madrid is still Madrid. El Real is the team with the most Champions League trophies. Madrid has a line-up of players who understand very well how to win the Champions League.

Therefore, it is believed that Madrid will take the initiative to attack in this home match. Madrid hopes to win by a large number to facilitate the steps in the second leg.

Team Condition

Real Madrid are still without Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba who are recovering. The good news is that Eder Militao’s condition is getting closer to 100 percent.

Meanwhile, Manchester City did not bring Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake on this trip. Meanwhile, Josko Gvardiol is included in the squad.

Comment

Carlo Ancelotti does not want Madrid to be knocked out by Man City again like last season. He hopes his team has learned from their mistakes.

“We played without courage and character. That’s very important in a game like this. we lacked those two things in the second leg last season,” Ancelotti said according to Football Espana.

“We also lacked technical quality. Man City pressed deep and chased us. We didn’t find an alternative solution to that,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is trying to find a solution after Walker could not play in this duel.

“The best player to control Vinicius is Walker. However, he suffered an injury during training. We will find a solution,” said Guardiola.

“Meanwhile, Gvardiol is here, but in doubt for tomorrow.”

Lineup Prediction:

Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo.

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Akanji; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Doku, Haaland, Foden.

Coach: Josep Guardiola.

Head to head

18-05-2023 Man City 4-0 Madrid (Champions League).
10-05-2023 Madrid 1-1 Man City (Champions League)
05-05-2022 Madrid 3-1 Man City (Champions League)
27-04-2022 Man City 4-3 Madrid (Champions League)
08-08-2020 Man City 2-1 Madrid (Champions League)

Footem Prediction

Real Madrid 2-1 Manchester City