Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester City face Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday in the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League semi-final.
City, who have struggled in the competition in recent seasons, are beginning to look far more assured on the European stage, with their win over Paris Saint-Germain in the last round demonstrating their growing credentials.
Their 4-0 win over Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday was perfect preparation. City barely got out of third gear, kept a clean sheet and managed to rest key players in the process. Manager Manuel Pellegrini could hardly have wished for a more serene afternoon.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Captain Vincent Kompany he is hungrier than ever for success.
"There's not a day in my life where I'm thinking these occasions are stressful or difficult," said the 30-year-old Belgium international.
"I want this for myself—and at this level all players want this for themselves. You have to play against those players as many times as we can and try and beat those teams.
"That's what's going to make history for this club.
"For every single player in the team, if you're not hungry tomorrow, then you'll never be hungry in football."
Real Madrid arrive having come from two goals down against Rayo Vallecano to win 3-2 on Saturday, with Gareth Bale grabbing two. They currently sit third in the La Liga table, one point behind both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Bale says his side’s form, which has seen them win five straight matches, means there is belief in the squad they can reach the final in Milan.
“We are feeling confident,” he said. “We weren't great in Wolfsburg, but we have learned from it and corrected some things.
“We needed to be more patient and not go for the kill straight away. We have to be smart and attack when we can, defend when we can. It is important to stick together.”
Date: Tuesday, 26 April
Kick-off: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 a.m. ET
TV Listings: BT Sport Europe (UK) & Fox Sports 1 (US)
Live Stream: BT Sport Live Streaming (UK)
"Global TV listings... 📺
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 25, 2016"
See which broadcasters are showing #cityvreal: https://t.co/q8XRDCtZ0i #MCFC pic.twitter.com/6F4r1cGfD4
Form Guide
Manchester City
Manchester City 4-0 Stoke City
Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester City
Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League)
Manchester City 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
Real Madrid
Rayo Vallecano 2-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal
Getafe 1-5 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg
Real Madrid 4-0 Eibar
"We're the only team to have reached the last six Champions League semi-finals! 💫👊
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 25, 2016"
🎥 https://t.co/wR0YGbFzGF#RMUCL pic.twitter.com/d38u0WVE4G
Predicted Formations
Manchester City
Pellegrini will be without Yaya Toure, who limped off in the game against Stoke with a thigh injury. Kompany returns to the squad after his weekend rest and the City manager says the Belgian is "100 percent fit".
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, De Bruyne, Silva; Aguero.
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane is sweating on the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, but both are expected to play.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
"Zidane expects @Cristiano & @Benzema to be fit for #cityvreal.
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 25, 2016"
Press conference report: https://t.co/G7mTYtu7n3 pic.twitter.com/fnQ0qqImE7
Players To Watch
Manchester City: Vincent Kompany
He may have only managed 20 games this season due to four separate calf injuries, but Kompany remains City's key defender.
He doesn't just bring strength and athleticism—his leadership also cultivates organisation in City's back four.
Kompany is an outstanding defender. If only City could keep him fit.
Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid have an array of stars—but Ronaldo is their biggest threat.
He loves the Champions League, too. He's scored 34 in 36 knockout games in the tournament for Real and is the only player to score 15 or more in one season on two occasions. This season alone, he has 16 in 10 games.
Fast, strong, skillful and prepared to shoot from distance, he's almost impossible to stop.
"📷🎥😃👌🔝💫
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 25, 2016"
Manchester went wild for @Cristiano when the team arrived in England earlier today!#RMUCL #HalaMadrid https://t.co/FjzBhiDyhM
Key Battle: Fernandinho vs. Luka Modric
Real Madrid's Luka Modric is perhaps the finest deep-lying playmaker in football. Give him time on the ball and he will punish any side with his superb passing ability.
Nulifying his impact is key. Fernandinho, City's most energetic and dynamic midfielder, must pay close attention to him.
If Modric is allowed to pull the strings, Real often get joy on the counter.
"The glory of the final whistle!
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 25, 2016"
More glory tomorrow? Dare to Dream. #CMONCITY pic.twitter.com/z5lHIvHy2T
Odds
Manchester City: 261-100
Real Madrid: 28-25
Draw: 5-2
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.
