Analysis of Man City vs Real Madrid
Man City is in destructive form. Pep Guardiola’s teachers and students almost pocketed the 2022/23 Premier League title after a 3-0 victory over Everton in round 36 while Arsenal lost miserably at Brighton. Never before has The Citizens faced a great opportunity to win the historic treble (winning the Champions League, Premier League and winning the FA Cup) like now.
And yet, at Etihad, Pep’s army is unbeaten in the last 16 matches in all competitions (excluding friendlies) with a super record of 15 wins and only 1 draw. Even the blue shirt Manchester team also won 8 victories in the series of matches mentioned above without conceding any goals.
In the Champions League alone, Man City is unbeaten at Etihad from September 2018 to now with 22 wins and 2 draws. Four of them were in front of representatives from Spain, including a 4-3 win over Real last season.
Meanwhile, the general form of Real Madrid is far behind the opponent. Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team has “let go” of La Liga to focus on the Champions League. And in the last 20 matches, Los Blancos has a rather inconsistent record with 12 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats.
It is worth mentioning that the opponent’s performance this season of the White Vulture is also unstable. They won 3, drew 1 and lost 3 in the last 7 matches away from home, including the past 2 consecutive defeats. But, that does not mean that Real will be inferior in this trip to Etihad Stadium.
In the first leg at the Bernabeu, Real was also underrated. Many people also predict that Man City will “treat” Los Blancos right in the match a week ago. However, Real in the Champions League has always been very different. And if you keep playing like in the first half of the match at the Bernabeu on May 10, Carletto’s team still has a “door” to the final.
Because if you let Man City control the ball, dominate without scoring a goal, then Real has a chance to counterattack quickly to defeat the opponent. This is the typical play of the White Vulture: Actively giving up the position to the opponent, stubbornly taking the blow and waiting for a counterattack. If you are not alert and take the initiative like in the second half of the first leg, the White Vulture will be strangled by Man City.
Latest Man City vs Real Madrid force information
Welcoming Real, Man City has no regrettable absence, except for Nathan Ake who is not sure to play. However, Pep will make a few small adjustments in the tactical scheme this time.
Accordingly, the Spaniard is likely to let the home team play with a 3-man defense, pushing John Stones to play in central midfield with Rodri to free up defensive tasks for Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. . This adjustment will help Man City’s midfield area have a superior number of opponents.
For his part, Carletto also had a small change in the starting lineup, but the whole system also had a significant adjustment. Returning after the suspension, Milatao will play a pair of central defenders with Antonio Ruediger to let David Alaba return to his forte left wing. Ferland Mendy’s return from injury also helps the Italian coach have one more option on the left corridor.
And Eduardo Camavinga also returned to his favorite position: central midfielder and side by side with two old generals Luka Modric, Toni Kroos. That also means that Rodrygo will likely sit on the bench. And on the attack is the trio of Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius.
Expected lineups Man City vs Real Madrid
Man City (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Ruben Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haland.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Ruediger, Alaba; Modric, Kroos, Camavinga; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius.
Bookmaker Man City vs Real Madrid
Both teams scored: 8/10 confrontations between the two teams, the last 8/12 matches on all fronts of Man City and the last 4/6 matches of Real all ended without either side keeping a clean net. In addition, the last 3/4 home matches of Man City also ended with at least 1 goal for each team.
Man City scored in the first half: In the last 5/7 matches and the last 10/12 home matches, Man City scored at least 1 goal in the first half. According to Betfair, the odds of Man City scoring in the first half are quite bright, 1 to 1.96.
Kevin de Bruyne scores or assists: In the Champions League this season, the Belgian midfielder has imprinted his shoes on 6 goals for Man City (2 goals, 4 assists). Moreover, he also scored 3 goals, provided 2 assists in the last 5 confrontations with Real. According to Betfair, the odds of De Bruyne scoring or assisting in this match are very bright, 1 to 1.67.
Football experts predict the match Man City vs Real Madrid
According to Matthew Howarth, BBC journalist, this match can take place in a similar scenario to the first leg at the Bernabeu. Therefore, this confrontation will be extremely tense and Man City will win the final victory is not easy.
Bongdaplus predicts the score Man City vs Real Madrid
Real had no choice but to win. Dragging the game to extra time is the preferred scenario that Los Blancos did against Chelsea and Man City in the knockout rounds last season.
Prediction: 2-2 (Man City reach final after extra time)
Which exact ratio do you choose?
