Man City vs Real Madrid LIVE: Kevin De Bruyne scores Champions ...
Manchester City host Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg this evening with the hopes of reaching the final four.
An electric first leg ended 3-3 in Madrid with the lead exchanging hands multiple times in an open affair. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring after two minutes before a quickfire double from Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo sent Real into the lead. City responded through Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol but Federico Valverde had the final say to ensure this last eight tie remains all square ahead of tonight’s game.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, meanwhile, will be aware of the hammering they received at the Etihad Stadium last year when City won 4-0. The manager will recall that experience to his players who will want to cause an upset tonight. Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Manchester City vs Real MadridFT: Real Madrid knock out Manchester City with penalty-shootout victory
82’ MISS! De Bruyne wastes golden opportunity (MCI 1-1 RMA)
76’ GOAL! De Bruyne draws hosts level (MCI 1-1 RMA)
12’ GOAL! Rodrygo opens scoring for visitors (MCI 0-1 RMA)
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!22:54 , Ben Fleming
The winning moment from Antonio Rudiger...
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!22:52 , Ben Fleming
Madrid head to their fans in the away stands to celebrate. Madrid were second-best for large parts of that game but, yet again in this competition, they have found a way.
They will go on to face Bayern in the semi-finals.
Penalties: Man City 3-4 Real Madrid22:48 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Rudiger squeezes it past Ederson into the bottom-left corner and Manchester City are out of the Champions League!
Penalties: Man City 3-3 Real Madrid22:47 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Ederson is a surprise taker and he has to score...but makes no mistake. Now can he make a vital save to keep his side in it?
Penalties: Man City 2-3 Real Madrid22:46 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Nacho sends Ederson the wrong way and slams it home. Madrid on the brink now.
Penalties: Man City 2-2 Real Madrid22:46 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Foden draws City back level but the home side still need Madrid to miss.
Penalties: Man City 1-2 Real Madrid22:45 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Cool as you like from Vazquez as he slots it into the bottom-left corner to put Madrid ahead.
Penalties: Man City 1-1 Real Madrid22:45 , Ben Fleming
SAVE! Advantage Madrid now. Kovacic strikes it sweetly but Lunin makes a great save down to his left!
Penalties: Man City 1-1 Real Madrid22:44 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Bellingham levels things up for Madrid with a composed finish into the bottom-left corner.
Penalties: Man City 1-0 Real Madrid22:43 , Ben Fleming
SAVED! An awful penalty from Silva who clips it down the middle but Lunin doesn’t move and catches the ball with ease.
Penalties: Man City 1-0 Real Madrid22:42 , Ben Fleming
SAVE! Modric goes first for Madrid but he’s denied. Ederson guesses correctly and palms it away down to his right.
Penalties: Man City 1-0 Real Madrid22:41 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Julian Alvarez steps up first for City...and makes no mistake as he sends Lunin the wrong fire. No saving that.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:39 , Ben Fleming
A first ever penalty shootout for Man City in the Champions League as Kyle Walker wins the coin toss and elects for his side to take the first spot kick.
END OF EXTRA-TIME! Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:36 , Ben Fleming
To penalties we go. Few chances in extra-time and this huge quarter-final will be decided by spot kicks.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:35 , Ben Fleming
120 mins: A late chance for City but it’s straight at Lunin from a tight angle from Alvarez.
Just one minute of added time.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:30 , Ben Fleming
116 mins: They gave it a bit of a go in the first half of extra-time but now Madrid are more than content to camp out on their box and play for penalties. Can City deny them that chance with a late winner?
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:28 , Ben Fleming
113 mins: Fresh off the bench, Kovacic races into the box but his effort is deflected behind by Rudiger.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:26 , Ben Fleming
112 mins: Vazquez volleys a half chance over the bar as City turn to their bench again. Akanji and De Bruyne makes way for Kovacic and Stones.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:24 , Ben Fleming
110 mins: The Spaniard hobbles his way off the pitch as Militao comes on as the replacement.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:23 , Ben Fleming
109 mins: Madrid lost Vinicius in the first half of extra-time and will be forced into another sub now, it appears, as Carvajal hits the deck.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:20 , Ben Fleming
106 mins: And just like that, we’re back underway for the second half of extra-time.
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:18 , Ben Fleming
And with that Rudiger chance spurned, the ref blows for half-time in extra-time. A quick turnaround before the second 15 minutes - are we headed for penalties?
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:17 , Ben Fleming
105+2 mins: CHANCE! A huge chance for Rudiger on the brink of half-time. The centre-back ghosts between Akanji and Dias but spoons his effort over the bar.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:15 , Ben Fleming
105 mins: Two minutes added on the first half of extra-time.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:12 , Ben Fleming
102 mins: Vincius makes way after that tussle with Walker as Vazquez comes on in his place.
22:11 , Ben Fleming
101 mins: That is why Walker came straight back into the starting XI tonight. Vinicius makes a burst through the middle but the right-back comes across superbly to usher him off the ball.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:09 , Ben Fleming
98 mins: That small break after full-time seems to have given Madrid a bit more encouragement. The visitors have been far more attacking in the first eight minutes of extra-time.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:02 , Ben Fleming
93 mins: Bellingham hits the deck after a collision with Dias but is back on his feet now and looks okay to continue.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)22:00 , Ben Fleming
91 mins: A change for City before extra-time as Alvarez makes way for Haaland in attack. And like that, we’re back underway.
What has the next 30 minutes got in store for us?
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:57 , Ben Fleming
Speaking of De Bruyne’s strike, here it is:
FULL-TIME! Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:56 , Ben Fleming
A last-gasp effort from Haaland won’t trouble Lunin as the referee draws us to a close. De Bruyne’s strike means we’re still level in this tie and heading to extra-time.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:53 , Ben Fleming
90+3 mins: Rodri lines one up from range but his effort is deflected and rolls through harmlessly to Lunin.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:50 , Ben Fleming
90+1 mins: Four minutes of added time. Will there be a late twist in the tale or are we heading for extra-time?
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:50 , Ben Fleming
90 mins: A late yellow for Rodri who takes no chances as Diaz looks to break for Madrid.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:48 , Ben Fleming
88 mins: Haaland rises well at the back post but Bellingham does enough to put him off as the striker heads wide from a tight angle.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:47 , Ben Fleming
87 mins: Those two Madrid changes are yet to swing the tide in this game. It remains all City as the defending champions go in search of a late winner.
Doku forces yet another corner.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:44 , Ben Fleming
84 mins: Another change for Madrid as they look for some dynamism in attack. Rodrygo, who scored the game’s opening goal, makes way for Diaz.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:42 , Ben Fleming
82 mins: De Bruyne has to score! Doku again has the beating of Carvajal and is low cross falls at the feet of the onrushing Belgian who inexplicably blazes over from no more than 12 yards out.
A golden opportunity wasted by the hosts.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)21:40 , Ben Fleming
79 mins: CLOSE! De Bruyne almost has a second but his vicious curling effort from range is deflected just over the bar.
Madrid now look to change the momentum of this tie with a sub as Modric replaces Kroos in central midfield.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (De Bruyne 76 mins - 4-4 agg.)21:35 , Ben Fleming
City equalise and we’re back level in this tie!
It’s Doku, off the bench, who makes the instant impact, fizzing a low ball into the box. Rudiger doesn’t do enough to clear the ball properly and the loose ball drops to De Bruyne who slams it into the roof of the net.
(Getty Images)
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:35 , Ben Fleming
75 mins: Carvajal does well in his opening exchanges with Doku but he’ll have to tread a careful line given his earlier yellow card.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:32 , Ben Fleming
72 mins: Doku does come on as City make their first change. Grealish, who has had a good game, makes way.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:30 , Ben Fleming
70 mins: Grealish remains a bright spark for the hosts but sees his latest effort saved well down low by Lunin.
Doku and Alvarez appear to be warming up on the bench.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:30 , Ben Fleming
69 mins: De Bruyne drifts over to the left side now as he looks to unlock this Madrid defence, but his eventual cross is blocked out for yet another City corner.
It’s a flat delivery towards the near post but it’s gone out before reaching the City players.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:26 , Ben Fleming
66 mins: It’s eleven men behind the ball for Madrid and CIty are finding it increasingly difficult to find any space. De Bruyne has to drift out onto the right wing but his cross is skewed out for a goal-kick.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:21 , Ben Fleming
61 mins: Another yellow card is brandished shortly after. This time it’s Gvardiol after his late challenge on Bellingham.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:19 , Ben Fleming
59 mins: City just beginning to get a bit impatient as the game approaches the hour mark. Grealish brings a Madrid attack to a sudden halt. and is shown a yellow card for the infringement.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:15 , Ben Fleming
54 mins: Wave after wave of City pressure to begin this second half as Valverde blocks Grealish’s cross behind for a corner.
Gvardiol rises well to get a flick-on at the near post but Camavinga is well-positioned to head the ball away with Haaland lurking with intent beyond him.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:12 , Ben Fleming
51 mins: Almost a real mix-up for Madrid as Nacho knocks it past his keeper but recovers well to clear the ball off his line for a corner.
21:08 , Ben Fleming
47 mins: City’s tenth corner, early in the second half, but the hosts have struggled to cause Madrid any issues thus far. Again the visitors deal with the threat.
KICK-OFF! Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:05 , Ben Fleming
46 mins: Back underway at the Etihad.
(Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
HALF-TIME: Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)21:03 , Ben Fleming
Ominous signs for City fans hoping for a second-half comeback.
Real Madrid haven’t lost any of their last 57 Champions League games in which they’ve been ahead at half time (W50 D7), with their last such defeat coming against Galatasaray back in April 2013 (1-0 up at half time, lost 2-3).
Over in Munich21:00 , Ben Fleming
It’s still all square at the Allianz Arena between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at half-time. That quarter-final remains 2-2 on aggregate.
(Getty Images)
HALF-TIME: Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:57 , Ben Fleming
Just the one goal in the first half courtesy of Rodrygo’s 12th-minute strike...
HALF-TIME: Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:50 , Ben Fleming
The half-time whistle goes after a frenetic first half in Manchester. The hosts have had the lion’s share of the chances but it’s Madrid who have the all-important advantage thanks to Rodrygo’s early strike.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:49 , Ben Fleming
45 mins: Two minutes of added time remaining as another City effort, this time from Foden, is blasted over the bar.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:48 , Ben Fleming
44 mins: Foden drifts a ball towards the back post but Carvajal rises well to nod away the danger. More corners follow but the visitors defend them well.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:44 , Ben Fleming
39 mins: City fans are not happy as the ref keeps his card in the pocket following Vinicius’ challenge on Silva. It comes after Carvajal was shown the game’s first yellow for a foul on Grealish a minute earlier.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:39 , Ben Fleming
36 mins: CLOSE! Grealish, again, has space to drive into but this time his strike is deflected off Rudiger and into the side-netting.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:36 , Ben Fleming
33 mins: City doing a good job of penning Madrid in their own half but are struggling to really test Lunin in goal. De Bruyne lets fly with a speculative left-footed effort but it sails over the bar.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:35 , Ben Fleming
32 mins: Grealish has had a bright start to this game and finds space on the edge of the box but his effort is deflected behind for a corner.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:31 , Ben Fleming
28 mins: City recycle the ball from the resulting corner but Haaland can’t generate enough power on the header to trouble Lunin.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:30 , Ben Fleming
27 mins: SAVE! De Bruyne is given space on the edge of the box but his curling effort is palmed away well by Lunin.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:28 , Ben Fleming
24 mins: City are playing a dangerously high line against this Madrid attack and are almost caught out there.
Vinicius attacks the attention of several City defenders before finding Carvajal on the edge of the box. The Spaniard tries his luck but his effort is blocked.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:22 , Ben Fleming
19 mins: How did that not go in? Haaland gets his header right this but it cannons back off the post. The ball drops to Silva, who is only yards out from goal, but the Portuguese midfielder can’t get his body in the right position to divert it into the net.
20:20 , Ben Fleming
17 mins: Superb work from Grealish to keep the ball in play. Silva latches onto the loose ball, whipping it in first time towards the back post. Haaland rises well but can’t keep his header down as it flies over the bar.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)20:19 , Ben Fleming
15 mins: City look to hit back immediately but Rudiger does well to block Silva’s effort.
GOAL! Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (Rodrygo, 12 mins - 3-4 agg.)20:15 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid strike first! A long, hopeful punt upfield is brought down well by Bellingham. It’s worked out to the right before Vinicius flashes a low ball across the box.
Ederson does superbly to deny Rodrygo’s first-time effort but he can do nothing to prevent the follow-up effort and the Spaniard’s edge ahead on aggregate.
Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (3-3 agg.)20:13 , Ben Fleming
10 mins: Camavinga with Real Madrid’s first chance, now, but his long-range effort is straight into the palms of Ederson.
Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (3-3 agg.)20:12 , Ben Fleming
8 mins: De Bruyne with the first proper attack in the game as he finds space out on the right side, but his low ball into the box is straight at Lunin who claims with ease.
Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (3-3 agg.)20:07 , Ben Fleming
4 mins: A quiet start to this one, perhaps a sign of just how much is on the line over the course of the next 90 minutes.
KICK-OFF! Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (3-3 agg.)20:02 , Ben Fleming
1 min: And we are off and running in the first half!
Here come the players19:58 , Ben Fleming
Out of the tunnel to a rapturous reception, the players come. The latest chapter of this intriguing Champions League rivalry is ready to be written - let’s hope it’s a cracker.
19:52 , Ben Fleming
Just under ten minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is building inside the Etihad Stadium. What has the next 90 minutes got in store for us?
Happy hunting ground for Bernardo Silva19:47 , Ben Fleming
Silva has netted four goals in seven games against Real Madrid – against sides he’s faced 5+ times as a Manchester City player, only versus Watford (115) does he have a better minutes-per-goal ratio than he does against Los Blancos (144).
Will the Portuguese midfielder notch up another tonight?
(Getty Images)
First-leg recap19:41 , Ben Fleming
We’ve got under 20 minutes to go until kick-off here in Manchester, with the tie finely poised after an absorbing first leg in Madrid.
If you need reminding of how that game went down, click below:
The Pep Guardiola switch that sparked Man City and Real Madrid’s epic
Another chapter in the Guardiola-Ancelotti rivalry19:36 , Ben Fleming
This will be the eighth time that Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti have faced each other in the UEFA Champions League, and the sixth while in charge of their current clubs Manchester City and Real Madrid.
The only pairs of managers who have faced each other on more than eight occasions in the competition are Alex Ferguson & Ottmar Hitzfeld and Carlo Ancelotti & Jürgen Klopp (nine times each).
(Getty Images)
Madrid up against the odds19:29 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid have only progressed from two of their previous 10 UEFA Champions League knockout stage ties after failing to win the first leg at home.
Both of the times they’ve managed to progress in that scenario in the second leg were against Manchester United (1999-2000 quarter-finals and 2012-13 round of 16).
(Getty Images)
Man City vs Real Madrid betting tips19:22 , Ben Fleming
Manchester City and Real Madrid lock horns in a titanic clash for a place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night (TNT Sports 1, 8pm).
The sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving the contest firmly in the balance at the Etihad Stadium.
City held the lead twice, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men battled back to earn parity and give themselves a chance of avenging their defeat to City in last year’s semi-finals.
The tie is eerily similar to last season’s duel as the two teams played out a draw in the Bernabeu before City destroyed Los Blancos in the second leg, running out 4-0 winners at the Etihad.
Man City vs Real Madrid predictions: 18/1 football tip and Champions League odds
Guardiola calls for patience19:15 , Ben Fleming
It could still be another fairytale year for Pep Guardiola’s Man City as they remain in the hunt for a historic second successive trouble. Despite that, the City boss is demanding patience from his fans and players.
“We are far away from the hypothetical dreams. When we are in the final of the FA Cup and the final of the Champions League and one or two games left with three, four, five points advantage, then I will start to think about this,” he said at his press conference.
“It’s one game at a time - Real Madrid tomorrow - and it is step by step. To still be in the position to win the Treble and being in contention at this stage, hats off, chapeau, incredible.”
(Action Images via Reuters)
Real Madrid team news19:07 , Ben Fleming
Just one change for Real Madrid as the suspended Tchouameni is replaced by Nacho.
Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.
Subs: Kepa, Ceballos, Diaz, Fran, Garcia, Guler, Joselu, Vazquez, Militao, Modric.
Manchester City team news18:53 , Ben Fleming
Three changes for tonight’s hosts who are boosted by the return of Walker and Ederson. They replace Stones and Ortega who drop to the bench, while De Bruyne is preferred to Kovacic in central midfield.
Man City starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega, Carson, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Doku, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.
Team news is in!18:47 , Ben Fleming
The hosts lineup for tonight:
Your City side to face Real Madrid ????
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Doku, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis#ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/2NtHEk7XTt
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 17, 2024
18:40 , Ben Fleming
The travelling Spanish contingent are enjoying themselves ahead of kick-off:
Foden hoping to shine18:30 , Ben Fleming
The Englishman was rested at the weekend but will hopefully be back in the starting XI tonight. What’s for sure is that he’s enjoyed his time in the competition, scoring in each of his last five starts in the Champions League (five goals); the joint-longest run by a Manchester City player in the competition, along with Sergio Agüero (Feb 2018-March 2019).
(PA Wire)
Head-to-head18:20 , Ben Fleming
It’s tight between the two sides historically, with Man City winning four and Real Madrid three (four draws). What is guaranteed, though, is goals. Indeed, the last five meetings between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the Champions League have produced 23 goals, at an average of 4.6 per game.
18:10 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid suffered a humiliating defeat last time the two sides met at the Etihad Stadium, but Carlo Ancelotti is convinced his side will banish their demons as they look to reach yet another Champions League semi-final.
“In the last three years we’ve faced City and they’ve been spectacular games, tomorrow will be the same,” he said. “We have to compete and believe, which is what we’re trying to do today. The tie is level and we survived 90 minutes and anything can happen. We have to have the quality to create problems.
“We’re planning to put on a complete performance. Attacking and defending well, not losing the ball unnecessarily, playing well on the counter, controlling transitions. It has to be a very complete performance and we’re not focusing on just one aspect, we have to focus on all of them.”
(Getty Images)
Why Premier League is now at risk of missing out on fifth Champions League spot18:00 , Ben Fleming
After a disappointing set of results last week, the Premier League’s hopes of gaining an extra Champions League spot in next season’s revamped competition have been dealt a blow.
The Champions League is being expanded to a 36-team tournament from 2024/25 and two of the extra four places will be awarded to countries whose teams perform best in this season’s European competitions.
As confirmed by Uefa on their website, England sits third in the race, behind Italy and Germany, which would mean Serie A and the Bundesliga get a fifth Champions League place next season.
City will host Real Madrid at the Etihad following a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu, while it looks tougher for Arsenal as they will need to get a result at Bayern Munich after a 2-2 draw against the German side at the Emirates.
The outcome of that tie could be decisive in the race between the Premier League and Bundesliga, as Arsenal could deny Germany if the Gunners knock out Bayern in Munich.
Why Premier League is now at risk of missing out on fifth Champions League spot
Why Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid ‘project’ — and what comes next17:45 , Ben Fleming
As Jude Bellingham sat behind the top table at the Etihad Stadium, to his right were three massive images, filling a wall. Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Erling Haaland, each holding a trophy from Manchester City’s treble. There is an alternative future in which a supersized picture of him would stare out, where he could find himself next to Rodri and De Bruyne on a wall and in a midfield.
City wanted him last year. They were not alone in that. Liverpool did too, before bowing out of the bidding. And yet, for one of the most coveted players on the planet, the decision was actually a simple one.
Why Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid ‘project’ — and what comes next
Elsewhere in Europe tonight17:30 , Ben Fleming
It’s not just a big night for one of England’s top teams, with Arsenal travelling to Germany as they look to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.
The Independent’s Miguel Delaney is in Munich for the big occasion:
Arsenal’s defining Champions League night asks the ultimate Mikel Arteta question
Jude Bellingham issues warning to football authorities over tackling racism17:15 , Ben Fleming
The motivation inspiring Bernardo Silva and Man City to new heights17:00 , Ben Fleming
If the treble was history, the double treble would be legacy. Bernardo Silva has an eye on a hat-trick of achievements that would echo through the ages. Manchester City won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League last season, a feat only previously accomplished by Manchester United in 1998-99.
In the last three decades, since the European Cup evolved into the Champions League, only Real Madrid have retained the trophy. Until, perhaps, City this season. And since the English league was established in 1888, no team has won four successive titles. With six games to go, City are two points clear at the top of the table, their fate entirely in their own hands.
For all Silva’s eloquence in possession, he has rarely been as outspoken in his ambition. Repeat the treble and City could have a claim to be the greatest side ever; a title which many currently afford to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. Silva does not shy away from the idea. “It is obviously inspiration and motivation,” he said.
“We know how well this team has done and we want to create that legacy and to do another Premier League, to do six in seven years and four in a row, And we want to win the Champions League, to do two in a row. Only Madrid did three in a row but no one else won consecutive Champions League and if we win two trebles in a row that would be legacy.”
The motivation inspiring Bernardo Silva and Man City to new heights
Pep Guardiola sends Man City fresh Champions League warning ahead of Real Madrid return16:45 , Ben Fleming
Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City to retain the hunger required to win the Champions League rather than being complacent because they lifted the trophy last season.
City face Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final on Wednesday after securing a 3-3 draw in the Bernabeu last week, with manager Guardiola saying they should not feel under less pressure because they ended their long wait to become champions of Europe.
He said: “We need to feel the pressure that you don’t want to lose the game. If you think we have done it already, we will not have this piece of hunger to compete against these teams. It’s true that the fact we won it has made us feel better and more comfortable but we need the right energy. Our people at home will help us a lot.”
Read more of the Spaniard’s thoughts below:
Pep Guardiola sends Man City fresh Champions League warning ahead of Real Madrid tie
Last night’s action...16:30 , Ben Fleming
Two of our Champions League semi-finalists are already known, PSG and Borussia Dortmund yesterday booking their place in the final four on another captivating night of European action.
PSG and Borussia Dortmund through to Champions League semi-finals
Last time out16:15 , Ben Fleming
On such nights, the Champions League remains the gold standard. It was the sort of game that gives the competition magical, mystical properties, the kind that will be marvelled at for years. It was seminal and special, a match of six goals, five of them arguably outstanding, of two stunning comebacks, of a blistering first half by Real Madrid and a sublime turnaround orchestrated by Pep Guardiola ended with the tantalising prospect of a return fixture next week, the reality that one of these terrific teams will be eliminated.
Which? At different points first City and then Real felt on the brink of suffering a blow that, if not a knockout, would probably leave them too wounded to prevail. Now the advantage probably lies with the defending champions, simply because the second leg is in Manchester. Yet an evening that showed cracks in their aura of invincibility ended with the feel of a triumphant affair. A test was passed, even without victory.
The Pep Guardiola switch that sparked Man City and Real Madrid’s epic
Man City vs Real Madrid betting tips16:00 , Ben Fleming
Manchester City and Real Madrid lock horns in a titanic clash for a place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night (TNT Sports 1, 8pm).
The sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving the contest firmly in the balance at the Etihad Stadium.
City held the lead twice, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men battled back to earn parity and give themselves a chance of avenging their defeat to City in last year’s semi-finals.
The tie is eerily similar to last season’s duel as the two teams played out a draw in the Bernabeu before City destroyed Los Blancos in the second leg, running out 4-0 winners at the Etihad.
Man City vs Real Madrid betting tips: Champions League odds and predictions
How Real Madrid could line up15:43 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid predicted XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid early team news15:40 , Ben Fleming
Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for Real Madrid, with Nacho Fernandez in line to return and partner Antonio Rudiger in central defence. Rodrygo should be fit to feature after a knock.
Speaking at his press conference on Tuesday, Ancelotti confirmed that Eduardo Camavinga will likely replace Tchouameni in central midfield. “He believes in himself a lot, he’s been good but of course there are things he has to improve and he will surely do it because he has a lot of quality,” the Italian said.
How Man City could line up15:33 , Ben Fleming
Manchester City predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri; Foden, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Manchester City early team news15:29 , Ben Fleming
City have been handed a major boost after Pep Guardiola confirmed that Kyle Walker is in contention to start the second leg. John Stones was absent from the weekend win over Luton for Manchester City, while Nathan Ake and Phil Foden were on the bench as they managed various niggles.
“He has had one or two training sessions. He feels good with his mood. I don’t know if from the beginning, or from the bench, but I think he will be with us tomorrow. It is incredibly good news for many reasons,” the Spaniard confirmed in his press conference. “The attributes and quality of Kyle everyone knows it, he is special.”
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