After a disappointing first leg, Real Madrid and Manchester City do battle at the Santiago Bernabeu with a spot in the Champions League final up for grabs. Join The Roar for live scores from 4:30am (AEST).
Despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real could consider themselves unlucky not to take a first-leg lead back to Spain after outplaying City at the Etihad.
The fine form of City goalkeeper Joe Hart kept the first leg scoreless, much to the relief of Manuel Pellegrini, who heads into the second leg with the tie firmly in the balance.
Real were simply more composed with possession last week and threatened significantly down the flanks, with Gareth Bale in particular causing trouble in the second half.
The strong work ethic of players such as Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos also helped Real establish a foothold in the match.
City meanwhile lacked penetration in the final third, with Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne well contained for the majority of the contest, while key playmaker David Silva injured himself in the first half last week and will not play tonight.
Despite their underwhelming performance at home, City are still well in the tie. The fact that they kept a clean sheet will keep Real honest, as the home side looks to avoid conceding an away goal that could really complicate things.
With the impeding return of talisman Ronaldo however, City’s defence will face more pressure than in the first leg, and it remains to be seen if the likes of Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi can keep out a team that usually dominates at home.
If City wish to unsettle Real, they need to press aggressively as a unit. Fernando and Fernandinho need to hustle hard in a bid to win possession and bring attacking stars Aguero and De Bruyne into play.
With Real eager to impose authority on home soil, City will have chances to attack on the break just like they did against Paris Saint-Germainin the quarter-final in Paris.
With history on the line, City can ill afford to leave anything in the tank tonight. If they wish to establish themselves as a true footballing power, they need to make a statement tonight.
While Ronaldo’s possible return from injury will make life difficult for City, Pellegrini’s men should be expected to improve on last week’s showing, and in the process, could secure the score draw required to progress to a maiden Champions League final.
Prediction
Real and City to draw 2-2
Alan
Roar Guru
Real and Atletico will do battle once again in a repeat of the epic 2014 decider between the Madrid rivals after Los Blancos secured a tight 1 nil win over City. Real could have won by more but Hart, and the bar, denied Real on several occasions. They were the better team by far overall though and City still have an awful lot to learn when playing the big teams on this stage. Aguero and De Bruyne kept in check yet again. City overall toothless in possession despite a few nervous moments in the end for Navas in goal. Guardiola now will be charged with making City a real contender on the European stage and judging from tonight's efforts, he has a lot of work to do. Real meanwhile will be difficult to beat in the final. They have made the most of a favourable draw and now need only get past Atletico to secure their second Champions League title in three seasons. Amazing recovery considering where they were a few months ago. Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Even now Real are asking more questions under pressure than City are. FULLTIME Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
94' - Real to be fair have been the better team significantly throughout the tie. City's disappointing first leg efforts at home will cost them by the looks of it. Real more composed and professional. Only Atletico stand in the way of Real's 11th Champions League title... Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Hart comes out well and keeps City in the tie. City pressing aggressively but it appears too little too late. Real get the free kick and Otamendi yellow carded. Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Navas still getting treatment here... City will have until the 96th minute I feel to knock Real out. Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
4 added minutes... Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Aguero with a great strike from distance and Navas was a nervous spectator there! That's the only opening he needs! That was close! CHANCE CITY Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - City with possession. Real with all numbers back. A final against Atletico just moments away. Sterling wins the throw. Kovacic comes on for Modric. He had a very good game Modric. Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
86' - Real controlling possession again. City need to act. Time running out. Their poor first leg performance ultimately cost City here if they go on to lose the tie. Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - De Bruyne delivers but his strike hits the side netting. Anti-climax again from City. Low percentage shot from De Bruyne Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Aguero once again hustled off the ball. Sterling does well to win the freekick in a dangerous area as Lucas Vasquez is booked. Late drama coming up? Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - City pressing more aggressively now but this should have been a feature in the first half. Sterling's cross to no one goes out for a goal kick. Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - De Bruyne now with a good ball to Sterling who fails to get past Carvajal. Championship rounds now for both teams. City despite being well outplayed again still just need a goal to lead the tie.... Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Navas still yet to be tested in goal for Real. The home side yet to concede at home in the Champions League. Mind you if they concede now, they will most likely get eliminated from the tournament... Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Iheanacho with a poor touch in a good area. City need to keep pressing here. Press, Press, Press. Real go on the counter now. Otamendi with a great challenge to stop Bale from causing trouble. Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - City need to press higher up the pitch now. Do or die. De Bruyne's pass too predictable again! Real cut it off. The only thing in City's favour tonight is the fact that they are somehow still in the tie.... Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Modric fouled and its cynical from Fernando who is yellow carded. Real once again so much more comfortable in possession. Still time for City to change history here... Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Aguero once again ultra silent tonight. Very disappointing influence tonight. Navas comes off for Iheanacho who has been clinical for City when he has featured...what can the young star produce on the biggest stage? Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - James comes on for Isco as Real make their second change. Bale is having a great game for Real. I have to say he has grown a leg since Ronaldo's injury. Bale has been the real instigator in attack for Real tonight. Real 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - James about to come on for Real. The Colombian is far too talented to remain on the bench for me. Bale meanwhile came so close to extending Real's lead but his header came off the bar! City living very dangerously. Real 1 City 0