Guardiola: ‘We have Haaland” as UCL semi-final versus Real Madrid looms
Real Madrid host the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Manchester City as they continue to chase another European trophy.
Having lost the La Liga title to Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are targeting European glory to ensure their season ends on a high but they will face tough competition against Manchester City. Los Blancos have already progressed beyond two English clubs in the knockout rounds, beating Liverpool and Chelsea, and are looking to claim a third Premier League scalp on their way to the final.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are in outstanding form and desperately covet the continental crown that has so far eluded them. Pep Guardiola’s men are still on the hunt for a potential treble (Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup) this season. To get to the Istanbul final, though, they will have to get past the defending champions, with Carlo Ancelotti’s serial winners back in the last four and likely to provide a stern test.
Follow all the action as Real Madrid host Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals:
Man City vs Real Madrid is the ‘real’ Champions League remaining
In the times earlier than Manchester City’s most essential match of the season, Pep Guardiola has been attempting to strike a troublesome steadiness. Surprisingly, his focus isn’t on the best way to play in opposition to Vinicius Junior, regardless of the way in which the ahead scorched the Catalan’s aspect final season. Instead, Guardiola needs to ensure his gamers don’t dwell on how final season’s semi-final ended, for concern of it inhibiting their efficiency, however he additionally doesn’t wish to suppress their need for revenge both.
With the Premier League champions in unprecedented kind, some throughout the team wish to topic Real Madrid to the heartbreak that City endured final May. Madrid, in the meantime, are intent on reasserting why they’re the best. Carlo Ancelotti has been in search of to nurture their expertise in that understated method of his.
It’s nearly the one factor with this Champions League semi-final rematch that’s understated. All across the Bernabeu, there’s the sense of the sport constructing as much as the be-all and end-all of the season. It is little surprise it’s being described because the “real final”. After all, that is by far the tougher aspect of the draw, with arguably the 2 greatest sides in Europe.
Mike Jones9 May 2023 19:10
Last season’s semi-final
The two groups produced a semi-final for the ages in final season’s Champions League.
An exciting first leg on the Etihad Stadium completed 4-3 to Pep Guardiola’s aspect because of early targets from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus.
Karim Benzema halved the guests’ deficit earlier than the break however Phil Foden restored the two-goal cushion early within the second half just for Vinícius Júnior to tug one again lower than two minutes later.
Bernardo Silva’s 74th-minute strike regarded to safe the tie for City however Benzema chipped in from the penalty spot with eight minutes to go to depart the semi-final properly poised.
In the second leg Riyad Mahrez prolonged City’s combination benefit to 2 targets along with his 73rd minute objective and Madrid appeared to be heading out.
They nonetheless trailed by two targets coming into the ultimate minute just for Rodrygo to come back off the bench and rating twice in 90 seconds to power additional time.
Five minutes into the primary further interval, Benzema was fouled by Rúben Dias and transformed the penalty himself to ship Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid via in exceptional vogue.
Mike Jones9 May 2023 19:06
City’s star ahead
Erling Haaland has scored 35 targets in simply 27 Champions League appearances, rewriting the document books within the course of.
Aged 22 and in solely his fourth marketing campaign within the competitors, the Norway striker is already nineteenth within the checklist of all-time Champions League scorers and having gone above the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Antoine Griezmann, Kaká and Wayne Rooney.
He is now close by of Edinson Cavani, Sergio Aguero and Alessandro Del Piero.
Mike Jones9 May 2023 19:01
Real Madrid vs Man City
Real Madrid are within the final 4 for the third season in a row with this their third successive semi-final in opposition to English opponents.
City have additionally reached this stage for the third consecutive marketing campaign and fourth general, however have solely gone on to the ultimate as soon as, in 2021.
Mike Jones9 May 2023 18:57
Real Madrid vs Man City
Victory for Man City this night would make them the primary English membership to beat Real Madrid away from dwelling within the Champions League on multiple event.
Mike Jones9 May 2023 18:53
Thibaut Courtois thinks he deserves the Ballon d’Or – stopping Erling Haaland may show his case
It wasn’t all that way back that Thibaut Courtois was bemoaning being solely the seventh-best footballer on the planet. Not the seventh-best goalkeeper – he had prime spot in that award sewn up – however seventh general.
His case was as routine because it was wise: we’ve received every part, I’ve performed an enormous half, I must be thought of as one of many best – or, in his eyes, the best. Ultimately his causes counted for many, only for the mistaken participant: teammate Karim Benzema picked up the Ballon d’Or in October.
Since then, Courtois has suffered the indignity of being No1 for maybe the most important underperformers on the grandest stage – Belgium on the World Cup – however with Real Madrid he continues to be within the highlight with pivotal performances and within the operating for main honours.
Mike Jones9 May 2023 18:48
Real Madrid vs Man City team modifications
Carlo Ancelotti makes two modifications to the Real Madrid team that defeated Osasuna within the Copa del Rey remaining final day out. Antonio Rudiger replaces Eder Militao in defence whereas Luka Modric returns rather than Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield.
There are six modifications to the Manchester City that beat Leeds of their final outing. At the again, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Ruben Dias be part of Manuel Akanji whereas Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish all come into midfield.
Nathan Ake, Aymeric Laporte, Rico Lewis, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden all drop out.
Mike Jones9 May 2023 18:44
Man City line-up
Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
Mike Jones9 May 2023 18:40
Real Madrid vs Man City
For the second season in a row and the third time general Real Madrid and Manchester City meet within the Champions League semi-finals.
The Spanish aspect have received each earlier contests on their option to claiming the trophy, beating City 1-0 on combination in 2015/16 and edging via a spectacular tie 6-5 on combination after additional time 12 months in the past.
Tonight’s encounter is about to be one other fascinating sport, can City get one over Madrid this time round?
Mike Jones9 May 2023 18:37
‘One day we will win it’
Man City boss, Pep Guardiola, is certain that the club will win the Champions League but is wary of Real Madrid’s risk after the Spanish champions knocked them out of the event final seaosn.
“We arrive here with encouragement. The way we are playing is really good.” mentioned Guardiola, “We are not here for revenge just another opportunity.
“One day we will win it. We come here this season to do it. It didn’t happen last year because we played Real in this competition.”
Mike Jones9 May 2023 18:32
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