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It really doesn’t get any bigger than this, particularly at the playoff round stage. It seems bizarre that this is effectively a qualifier for the round of 16, rather than a semi-final (remember this?) or a final. But that’s these two get for an underwhelming league phase.
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Of course, Real Madrid are favourites. They practically own this competition, having claimed six of the past 11 titles on offer. They are at home and hold a 3-2 first-leg lead, which helps. But nobody thinks City are out of it. It might only takes one moment from Erling Haaland, one ridiculous cross from Kevin De Bruyne, one mazy Phil Foden dribble and shot and the whole tie could turn.
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As a coach at the Bernabéu, Guardiola’s Barcelona team defeated Real Madrid in the 2011 Champions League semi-final and put six past them in their most resonant victory in La Liga. However, having lost the first leg 3-2 at home last week, none of the results he has secured here as City manager would be sufficient to see them through and after the first leg he said they had only a 1% chance. Carlo Ancelotti said he did not buy that, dismissing suggestions that Madrid’s chances stood at 99%, and claiming he would ask Guardiola if he really believed that his hopes were so small.
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The mind games are well underway. It promises to be an absolutely delicious night of association football.
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Kick-off: 8pm GMT, 9pm in Madrid.
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Important Events
As alwaysSid Lowe did an amazing job setting up this Real Madrid clash. And as ever, Madrid gave him something to write.
Here's a little more background:
There's also a delicious Premier League clash Soon, Liverpool featured the league leaders when they traveled to Aston Villa. Marcus Rashford v Trent Alexander Arnold, if that's the case.
You can continue the live here. It's a GMT kickoff at 7:30pm.
preamble
This game doesn't need to be sold much. It's Real Madrid v Manchester City for goodness. This is Pep Guardiola, a legend in Barcelona of the Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti's eyebrows are ready to stimulate your appetite. Apart from Real and City, no other club raised their hands to the big ears four years later, the Champions League trophy. Do you want a story? You got it.
It won't be bigger than this, especially in the playoff round stages. It seems strange that this is effectively a qualifying round of 16 rather than a semifinal (remember this?) or the final. But that's what these two get because of the overwhelming league phase.
Of course, Real Madrid is my favorite. They actually own this competition and offer six of the last 11 titles. They are at home and hold the 3-2 First Congress lead. But no one thinks the city is coming out of it. From Erling Haaland, one ridiculous cross from Kevin de Bruyne, one Mazy Phil Foden Dribble and Shot, and the entire tie, it may only take an hour to turn.
As coach of the Bernabeu, Guardiola's Barcelona team beat Real Madrid in the 2011 Champions League semi-finals, surpassing six of the La Liga's most resonating victory. However, he lost his first leg at home 3-2 last week, so none of the results he secured here was enough for mayor. Carlo Ancelotti said he wouldn't buy it, rejecting the suggestion that Madrid's chances would stand at 99%, insisting that he would ask Guardiola if he truly believes his hopes are very small.
Mind Game is going well. It promises to be an absolutely delicious night of soccer in the association.
kick off: 8pm and 9pm in Madrid.
