Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid).
Team News
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane has been handed a huge blow ahead of his team returns to Champions League action. Against Manchester City on Wednesday, manager of Real Madrid will be without Eden Hazard, who had injured his ankle again and will likely be sidelined for several months at least.
Regardless of Hazard, Zidane will also miss the services of Marco Asensio long-term knee injury. James Rodriguez has joined back in training after recovering from a hip injury, but has yet to make the 19-man squad to face Manchester City. Goes Rodrygo omitted from the squad once again.
The main decision for the party will decide who replaces Hazard. Gareth Bale, who returns after recovering from gastroenteritis, should get the nod ahead Vinicius Vazquez Jr. and Lucas.
Bale will start on the right wing, while Isco, which is a rare bright spot against Levante, will be deployed on the left wing. Karim Benzema will lead the line for Real Madrid against Manchester City, hopes to be back among the goals.
Casemiro and Toni Kroos are certain starter in midfield, with the former sitting at the base of the unit three people and seek to keep a check on Kevin De Bruyne's output. Kroos will become chief creative officer for Real Madrid, especially with Luka Modric is likely to make way for Federico Valverde, who will become a workhorse in the middle of the park.
At the rear, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos all choose their own. As for the left-back slot, Marcelo was very impressive against Levante, but had to make way for Ferland Mendy, with Real Madrid is likely to seek to shore up the defensive side of things. Thibaut Courtois is to choose an automatic goal.
Possible Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Isco
Manchester City
Unlike his colleagues in the break room of Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola has been handed a major boost ahead of the trip to the Spanish capital. Against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Manchester City boss will be able to call in the services of Raheem Sterling, who has returned from a hamstring injury.
Leroy Sane now remains the only absentee for Manchester City, although forwards Germany inching closer to making a return from a long-term knee complaint. Sterling, though, should be mentioned in the starting lineup immediately and will be placed on the left wing.
Sergio Aguero will spearhead the attack Manchester City against Real Madrid, while on the right wing, Riyad Mahrez likely to get the nod over Bernardo Silva. Kevin De Bruyne will once again be the key man in midfield for Manchester City, David Silva is set to provide creative support.
Rodrigo will hold down the fort in front of the back line while also looking for scoring opportunities from distance. As for the defense, the responsibility would be on Aymeric Laporte to keep a check on Karim Benzema, seeking to turn the threat of the French striker.
Fernandinho is expected to partner Laporte in the heart of Manchester City's defense, with Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy is expected to form full-back pair. Finally, Ederson will take his place between the sticks.
Possible Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodrigo, David Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling
Opta stats
Manchester City have not won against Real Madrid - they have faced each other four times, every chance in the Champions League, with City lost two of their away games in the Santiago Bernabeu and drawing the other two at the Etihad.
Real Madrid has won the last four of the Champions League knockout ties against English opposition: 5-0 aggregate v Tottenham (2010/11 quarter-finals), 3-2 v Manchester Utd (2012/13 round of 16), 1-0 v Manchester City ( 2015/16 semi-finals), 3-1 v Liverpool (2017/18 final).
Real Madrid have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for 23 seasons in a row, the longest run in the history of the tournament and a streak that began in 1997-1998.
Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 22 home matches in the knockout stages of the Champions League; the last team to stop them from the goal Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in the 2010/11 semi-finals (0-2).
Manchester City are in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the seventh straight season, reaching at least the quarter-finals in three of the last four campaigns.
Manchester City have been knocked out in each of the three two-legged Champions League ties they previously against Spanish clubs: 1-4 aggregate v Barcelona (2013/14 round of 16), 1-3 v Barcelona (2014/15 round of 16), 0-1 v real Madrid (2015/16 semi-finals).
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has scored 10 goals in 13 Champions League final appearance, that one goal more than the previous 34 matches in the competition (9). Only Lionel Messi (6) and Cristiano Ronaldo (5) scored more often than Sterling in the knockout stages last season (4).
Zinedine Zidane has won all 12 Champions League ties he was involved in as a manager of Real Madrid (9 two-legged ties and 3 final). He currently holds three Champions League trophy as a manager, along with Bob Paisley's record and Carlo Ancelotti.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola against Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout tie for the third time, with three different clubs - he won by Barcelona 3-1 on aggregate in the 2010/11 semi-finals and he lost 5-0 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in 2013 / 14 semi-finals.
Prediction
Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester City
It is one of the rare games between the two teams could have upscale severe shortage of goalmouth action. Real Madrid, despite the defeat of Levante, has one of the best defensive teams in the Champions League and it is impossible to buy Manchester City, a lot of opportunities.
In the end, there may be some openings, but with the purpose of drying for Karim Benzema, whose extravagant night could be on the cards. However, the host should have plenty of opportunities to go out there way, one of which must be converted. It was one of those occasions will ultimately make the difference, which is why Hard Tackle predict a 1-0 victory for Zinedine Zidane and co.
