Manchester CityChampions LeagueReal Madrid

What a game just a week ago in Manchester between the local Manchester City and Real Madrid. The final before the Champions League final offered seven goals in its first edition. The Citizens were the better team on the field, and the White Ballet should be happy to lose by just one goal after making almost every dangerous attack on Ederson's goal. Of course, Benzema was the hero for his team with two goals, and Kevin de Bruyne shone again with the sky-blue team.

It was also the most productive clash of the rivalry, although there are no other goal spectacles. For example, the first match between the two teams in Madrid ended 3: 2 in favor of the hosts, as it was in the group stage. In 2016, Real eliminated Man City with a total score of 1: 0, forging the success of the Santiago Bernabeu, and later congratulated himself with the trophy. "Citizens" won both round of 16 in 2020 with 2: 1.

So far, Real Madrid's matches in the tournament offer exceptional drama. We remember very well the match with PSG in Madrid, in which Benzema and company scored three goals in the second half and erased a liability of two goals. Chelsea took the lead with 3: 3 at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Real needed to win the match in extra time, in which it was the better team and won.

Manchester City have already played once in Madrid this year, keeping a clean sheet and the zero draw with Atletico Madrid was in their favor after the success at home with 1: 0. So far, both rematches of the "Citizens" disappointed in terms of hits, as such we have not seen. The first one was with Sporting at the Etihad, in which Guardiola gave a break to the main figures after the decisive 5-0 in Portugal.

On Saturday, Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 4-0 at home and congratulated themselves on the La Liga title. There are four rounds left until the end, but the Whites are within reach of the second Barcelona. Manchester City continues without a mistake in the English Premier League, also winning their match with 4: 0 during the visit of Leeds. Thus, the "Citizens" remain one point ahead of the second Liverpool four rounds before the end.

I didn't expect so many goals a week ago in Manchester, but both teams pleasantly surprised us. Today the meeting is also quite insidious. We have seen Real make big changes, as well as luck and character not in favor of Manchester City in the final matches of the Champions League. The hosts should be the more attacking team today, and the Guardiola players should use their chances of counterattack in free spaces in the opponent's field.

If my views in the previous paragraph turn out to be correct, we will see explosive attacks from the guests, some of which will have to be stopped in its infancy. We know very well who plays in the middle of the field for Real and who will have to counter the attacks of the opponent. His name is Carlos Casemiro, who is a good acquaintance of the referees in Europe with his precise interventions, his impulsive nature and his numerous yellow cards.