Real Madrid-Manchester City is a match valid for the first leg of the Champions League semifinals and is played Tuesday at 9 p.m.: TV, lineups, predictions.
Them again, them again. After exactly one year – more day, less day – it’s Real Madrid vs. Manchester City again in the Champions League semifinals.
And, just like in the 2021-22 edition, one has the feeling of being in front of an anticipated final, without, of course, disrespecting the two Milanese, who are ready to give life to a historic and balanced derby on the other side of the scoreboard. Pep Guardiola versus Carlo Ancelotti, Karim Benzema versus Erling Haaland: could one ask for better? Absolutely not. The English are dreaming of taking revenge after the mockery of a year ago, when despite a pyrotechnic 4-3 first leg in England and Mahrez’s goal midway through the second half in the return match at the “Bernabeu” that seemed to be the coup de grace for the Madrid men, they thwarted the double lead in a resounding manner by cashing in two goals in the space of a few minutes. It was Brazilian striker Rodrygo who was the Citizens’ executioner: the Blancos then stepped it up again in extra time, skewering Guardiola’s defense, by then on the rocks, with future Ballon d’Or Benzema. A resounding success, the prelude to Real Madrid’s triumph in the Paris final, the 14th in its history.
Guardiola wants a rematch
Carlo Ancelotti and his men are far from satiated. And they plan an encore after knocking off two more Englishmen, Liverpool and Chelsea in the previous rounds. The Italian coach, meanwhile, continues undeterred to lift trophies: the latest being the King’s Cup, won Saturday by taming a stout Osasuna 2-1 in the last act in Seville with Vinicius and Rodrygo.
Haaland
Since returning to the bench of Spain’s most emblazoned and successful club (summer 2021) Ancelotti has triumphed in every competition he has taken part in and now dreams of making history once again. Defending the title in the Champions League is now the only goal left: in La Liga, in fact, Real Madrid has long since abdicated, with Barcelona having taken the lead and only waiting for the official announcement to celebrate. Manchester City, on the other hand, has one more weapon than last year. And what a weapon. There are no adjectives left to describe Haaland’s first season in a Citizens shirt, a veritable goal machine that will test Real’s defense. The Norwegian broke the Premier League goalscoring record in his first strike and will do everything to drag his teammates toward a mythological Treble. Yes, Guardiola’s men can still win three more competitions. In June they will compete for the FA Cup with Manchester United, while in the league they have recently completed overtaking Arsenal and have the title in the bag.
Real Madrid-Manchester City: latest lineup news
In the Blancos, the absence of Militao, disqualified for added cautions, stands out. The Brazilian defender, a starter for Ancelotti, will be replaced by former Chelsea man Rudiger, who will join Alaba at the center of the rearguard. The Italian coach will reintroduce Camavinga on the left lane in place of the injured Mendy, while Modric, who took the field against Osasuna in the King’s Cup, is expected to start from the 1′. Up front, the trident will consist of the usual Benzema, Vinicius and the “bogeyman” Rodrygo.
On the other hand, Guardiola has ample choice. The Catalan’s only doubt concerns the presence or absence of defender Aké, who is not at his best. Without the Dutchman it will be four-man defense, formed by Walker, Stones, Rúben Dias and Akanji. In attack Haaland will be supported by Grealish and Bernardo Silva. In the middle, however, with captain De Bruyne will be Rodri and Gundogan.
The Prediction
Great balance in the previous fixtures. Real Madrid and Manchester City have faced each other eight times in the Champions League and the balance is perfectly even (three wins on each side and two draws). Right now they are probably the two strongest teams in the world and they come to this fixture in excellent health. Real has limped a bit in the league, City, on the other hand, is a steamroller – five wins in a row – that has not lost since February. Guardiola’s men, with an extra Haaland, start perhaps slightly favored but watch out for the Blancos, who transform on these occasions. We expect an open and spectacular match at the “Bernabeu,” in which both will score on at least one occasion. Manchester City is likely to avoid defeat.
The probable lineups of Real Madrid-Manchester City
- REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Modrić, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinícius Jr.
- MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Rúben Dias, Akanji; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gündoğan; Bernardo Silva, Haaland, Grealish.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
