Preview: Real Madrid Vs Man City

Real Madrid vs Man City UCL preview

Who’s ready for round two? Manchester City will try to get over last year’s nightmare as they travel to Real Madrid for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal fixture.

Manchester City’s UCL dreams were crushed last season by Real Madrid as the Cityzens inexplicably conceded two late goals to the serial UCL winners. Real Madrid went on to win the title as Manchester City were again left wondering what could have been.

This time, the stakes are even higher. Manchester City are on the verge of making history by becoming only the second English side to win a treble. Looking close to sealing the league, they face archrivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final as well.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are coming on the back of a Copa del Rey victory which they hope would provide a momentum boost for this fixture. Having already lost the league to Barcelona, UEFA Champions League is once again their primary focus.

Nobody does it better than Los Blancos in the UCL, but there is no team better in the world right now than Manchester City. Will Real Madrid’s history and UCL nous come to the fore once again, or will Manchester City finally get over the hump this time, armed with their Norwegian cyborg Erling Haaland?

Here’s the Real Madrid vs Man City UCL preview (first leg)-

Real Madrid vs Man City lineups

Real Madrid predicted lineup

Real Madrid are getting healthy and gaining form at just the right time. The football world has seen this tale before. As UCL’s crunch time begins, Los Blancos find that extra gear in their game.

With Ferland Mendy being the only long-term injury worry in the squad, Carlo Ancelotti has a nearly full contingent to choose from.

Ageless Wonder Luka Modric returned to action in the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna and is expected to start here. He will resume his role as the all-action counterpart to Toni Kroos’ metronomic playmaking abilities. Federico Valverde’s industriousness and experience might be preferred over Aurelien Tchouameni to complete the midfield. Tchouameni will look to come off the bench and have an impact against tired legs later in the game.

In the defence, the selection is clearer. Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and Andriy Lunin’s performances in limited appearances have given no reason for Ancelotti to think otherwise.

Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba will start in the middle of the defence with Dani Carvajal and refashioned…