Advantage City? Maybe. The first leg was more edge-of-the-seat thriller than the all-out-action of last season’s semi-final, when Madrid staged a remarkable comeback at the Santiago Bernabéu to beat Pep Guardiola’s men 6-5 on aggregate.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
UEFA Champions League
Wednesday 17 May – 21:00
Etihad Stadium
Guardiola’s crowning jewel. The coveted European title is the missing piece in Manchester City’s trophy cabinet, which is laced with English titles.
In this season, City have demonstrated their steel. Despite being 2nd for large parts in the Premier League, they can wrap up that domestic title this weekend.
Moving onto the FA Cup wherein a Manchester derby final is scheduled for early June. The Citizens bagged a tournament high 17 goals, compared to the 12 managed by their cross-city counterparts during the same period. I think we know where that one goes..
That brings us to the illustrious treble. Manchester City have barely put a foot wrong in the Champions League this season – they are the only club in the competition yet to see defeat. In the first leg, Kevin de Bruyne’s effort near the edge of the box which saw the Citizens take something to Manchester.
That was testament to the number of shots his City teammates unleashed outside of the Madrid box (very un-Guardiola like of them). Perhaps there is a method to the madness. Alas, if they can get past the gatekeeper, the treble is all but confirmed.
To Win Match
Man City 11/20 | Draw 36/10 | Real Madrid 44/10
Ancelotti’s men have already ranksaked Anfield and Stamford Bridge this season and now go hunting at the Etihad. As much as those are impressive clubs to record victories against, the matter in which they went about navigating those ties was frightening.
Real Madrid’s 6-2 aggregate victory over Liverpool was the heaviest margin of defeat that the Merseyside club have experienced over two legs of a Champions League knockout tie. Furthermore, they are the only club to record multiple victories in the UCL as an away club against Chelsea, following their win at Stamford Bridge in last season’s quarter final.
With Barcelona wrapping up the La Liga, the Madridistas sole focus will be the defence of their Champions League crown. Notwithstanding their Copa del Rey triumph this season, Real Madrid have the blueprint to knockout football and this tie points to one victor.
𝗛𝟮𝗛: Man City vs Real Madrid
— Oddspedia ⚽️🏀🎾🥊 (@oddspedia) May 17, 2023
Who will join Inter in the #UCLfinal? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/YAzS8txjrm
Verdict: Real Madrid – 44/10
This is the curtain raiser. Will European royalty bask in glory or will European chasers finally get their time. For all of his antics, Guardiola’s bag of tricks may consume him and I think that will lead to their demise, under the limelight.
Overshadowing this bout, is the football treat we savoured, just 12 months ago. Manchester City lead the tie 5-3 on aggregate with 90 minutes on the clock, but it was Madrid who pulled off the greatest comeback which saw them book their place in the final and walk away with the title. Afterall, you can’t play Tiki Taka with Spaniards…
