The two giants of European football will have a dramatic match in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League 2022/2023.
Time: 02h00, May 10, 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
Mục lục bài viết
Probable teams
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Karim Benzema.
Man City (3-4-2-1): Ederson Moraes, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Kyle Walker, Rodri, John Stones, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, IIkay Gundogan, Kevin de Bruyne, Erling Haaland.
Head-to-head achievements
Statistical history is leaning in Man City. After the last 6 clashes in all competitions, the Premier League representative had 4 victories, 2 defeats, scored 13 goals, received 8 yellow cards. Real Madrid had 2 triumphal songs, scored 10 goals, received 9 yellow cards, 1 red card. Specifically:
May 4, 2022: Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (Champions League)
April 26, 2022: Man City 4-3 Real Madrid (Champions League)
August 7, 2020: Man City 2-1 Real Madrid (Champions League)
February 26, 2020: Real Madrid 1-2 Man City (Champions League)
July 27, 2017: Man City 4-1 Real Madrid (ICC Cup)
May 4, 2016: Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (Champions League)
Human resource
Real Madrid
Coach Carlo Ancelotti does not have the service of defender Ferland Mendy. The French star is absent due to a calf injury. The replacement for Mendy is most likely Eduardo Camavinga. The 20-year-old Mai Sao possesses a versatile playing style when he can play well in the role of central midfielder, left-back.
In the center circle in the middle of the field, Real Madrid was served by the experienced duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. Wingers like Rodrygo or Vinicius Junior are more likely to start from the start.
As usual, Karim Benzema still takes on the role of the main goalscorer on Real Madrid’s attack. The 35-year-old striker owns 4 goals, 1 assist after 567 minutes in the Champions League this season.
Man City
Pep Guardiola does not have the services of Nathan Ake. The Dutch defender suffered a hamstring injury in the match against Leeds United. Pep is more likely to use Kyle Walker to play the right midfield position; at the same time, he pushed Manuel Akanji to the left-sided center back to replace Ake.
In the middle of the field, the John Stones – Rodri duo are working impressively, helping Man City control the game. Kevin de Bruyne, IIkay Gundogan will play high, providing the ball for No. 9 Erling Haaland.
Key player
Real Madrid
Luka Modric: Modric has always brought unique qualities to Los Blancos in the big games. The bravery of the Champions League champion, the experience of the match where the Croatian midfielder helped the home team control the game well against a strong opponent like Man City.
“They have things that only experience can give. Age takes away some things from you but it also gives you other values,” Ancelotti commented on about the form of the trio of Kroos, Modric, Karim Benzema.
Karim Benzema: Similar to Modric, Benzema brings to Ancelotti’s army the core filter, battle experience, and class of the star who won the European Championship. The French striker became the number 1 hope in Real Madrid’s attack.
Man City
Kevin de Bruyne: The Belgian midfielder plays the role of the conductor of Man City’s play. Tactically, De Bruyne-branded crosses are expected to help Man City penetrate the Real Madrid defence.
Erling Haaland: De Bruyne passed, Haaland scored is the scenario many blue half Manchester fans are looking forward to in the upcoming big battle at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Forecast
A half-pounder is a suitable phrase to describe the upcoming heated confrontation. Real Madrid won the Champions League last season. Meanwhile, Man City is becoming a winning machine in the hands of Pep Guardiola.
The blue half of Manchester wants revenge on Los Blancos after being eliminated from the semi-finals last year. However, Real Madrid has a lot of class and bravery to control the game. Most likely there will be a draw in the first leg semi-final.
Real Madrid 2-2 Man City (according to Whoscored).