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Manchester City have hit form at just the right time and will need to be at their best again if they hope to secure a priceless victory against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores from 4:30am (AEST).
Tonight’s first leg pits two teams that are timing their run to success in Europe perfectly.
Madrid have underperformed all year in La Liga, yet now find themselves trailing FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid by just one point.
Their victory in El Clasico has obviously reignited belief in a campaign that seemed doomed to failure.
City meanwhile have also hit good form ever since Kevin De Bruyne returned from a long injury layoff. His inclusion has ignited the Citizens’ play and their results have improved drastically as a result.
Their upset victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals proved City are a team to be feared by any other in Europe. On paper, they possess the class required to lift the Champions League trophy, let alone beat Real over two legs.
While Real approach this tie as strong favourites, there are question marks surrounding the fitness of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is struggling with a thigh injury sustained in the 3-nil victory over Villarreal over a week ago.
Furthermore, Karim Benzema also left the field injured against Rayo Vallecano several days ago, meaning Real could be without two of their major weapons.
Gareth Bale however did make his return from injury in the match against Real Vallecano, scoring two goals, and looks set to play a key role in attack if Ronaldo and Benzema are out.
The attacking trio of De Bruyne, David Silva and Sergio Aguero is peaking at just the right time and will present Real’s back four with their biggest test of the Champions League campaign to date. De Bruyne and Aguero, in particular, can cause havoc on the counter attack, so it wouldn’t surprise to see Madrid play conservatively in a bid to conserve numbers at the back when they lose possession.
If City’s stars are able to influence proceedings, Manuel Pellegrini’s men are more than capable of securing a first-leg lead.
At the other end of the pitch, City captain Vincent Kompany will need to lead from the front in a bid to contain Ronaldo, Benzema (should they play) and Bale. Failure to do so and the tie swings in Real’s favour.
Despite the gulf in experience and success between the two teams in this competition, City possess the form and belief required to secure the win against the greatest European club of them all.
City to win 2-1