Manchester City – Real Madrid Match Preview

Manchester City is going to host Real Madrid in this second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals.

Manchester City got a goal from De Bruyne and that was enough for a draw against Real Madrid in the first match. Manchester City was the big favorite in that match like they are in this rematch, but I believe they should be satisfied with that draw in the first match at Santiago Bernabeu. I expect Manchester City to play with the same lineup in this home match where they are playing better this season. Manchester City has a kind of psychological issues in the UEFA Champions League and against Real Madrid so this could be a issue for them.

Real Madrid played really well in the first match, especially in the second half. They allowed a goal but that goal could have been disallowed as the ball borderline left the pitch. They don't have anything to play for in La Liga so they will rest their main players in the league game like Benzema, Vinicius, Modric, Carvajal, Kroos to keep them fresh for this second semifinal.

Last season at Etihad we saw one of the best matches of the season between these two teams. I believe this match will be really tight, more defensive and I think Real Madrid has a slight advantage in terms of experience in this kind of games. They played really well in the first leg so this could give them plenty of confidence for this rematch. Real Madrid's main idea here would be to defend well and hit in counter-attack which I think they can do.