Madrid Will Be A Real Test For Manchester City

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JOHANNESBURG: Manchester City and Real Madrid is a box office fixture, that has consistently delivered goals, drama and big superstar performances.

City and Madrid will contest the semifinal first leg of the UEFA champions league at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening, 09 May 2023.

City are at their peak at the moment, they are chasing what could be a historical treble season incorporating the English Premiership, FA Cup and UEFA champions league. On the other hand, Real Madrid are coming to this match at the back of winning the Copa Del Rey final this past Saturday 06 May 2023. They are not lacking confidence ahead of this clash, especially since they will be at home in the first leg.

Now more than ever, the English premier league side City are favourites going into this tie. A tale similar to that of Arsenal’s invincible side, a team quite dominant and enjoying a good run of form, leaving a path of destruction as they march on, in their quest for glory and history. The Citizens are arguably one of the best teams in Europe and the world at the moment.

Pep Guardiola’s side are steamrolling teams in the English Premiership, FA Cup and the UEFA champions league. The Citizens have gone undefeated in 20 consecutive games across competitions, winning 17 and drawing three in that impressive run. The Citizen’s last loss came against Tottenham Hotspur in early February this year. After that, they went on a rampage.

What does Manchester City have to do in order to advance to the finals? Can they outclass the Kings of Europe and win the emotional side of the game against the spiritual holders of the competition? City does not need to be flashy in this tie, in order to win, they should be able to scrap past Madrid, a team that is the best when it comes to winning games they should have lost. If City wants to win they should win the mental and physical game.

Madrid will be the Citizen’s acid test, if Manchester City are to be considered one of the best teams in the world, they have to go over Real Madrid and wrestle the crown off their heads by force.

City have all that it takes to prevail past Madrid, however, can they find it within themselves to win a tie without playing better or dominating their opponents? Can they win ugly or boring games? Can they win with just grit and guts, not through style and brilliance? Manchester City were stunned by Madrid last year in the same stage of the Champions League. Real Madrid were able to dig deep and steal it in the end when Rodrygo scored a last-minute brace and a Karim Benzema penalty, exposing City’s lack of spirit.

Manchester City are poised to win the Premier League, and in the final of the FA Cup against rivals Manchester United, it needs to be added that on their way to the final of the FA Cup, Manchester City did not concede a single goal. Another trophy City can claim this season is one that has eluded them throughout their existence, the coveted UEFA champions league.

On their path is the old guard, Real Madrid a team synonymous with the competition as they are record holders and current defending champions. The Galacticos are set to collide with the Citizens in a blockbuster UEFA champions league semifinal match, a match pitting new powerhouses and the old establishment. Real Madrid have veterans who have seen and won it all like Karim Benzema, Luca Modric and Toni Kroos, while City have exciting young players like Erling Haaland who is in a league of his own, scoring goals for fun.

Guardiola has done and won it all in football, but one blemish that remains in his career is that he failed to win the Champions League with Bayern Munchen and now Manchester City. He has an opportunity to write his name in Manchester City’s history and finally ends City’s hunt for their first champions league trophy.