Real started to score goals, City stepped up their defense
The last time they played each other Zidane's Real completely stopped Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne and the others. In the 2015/16 season, in the Champions League semi-finals, Real celebrated 1-0 overall
The Madrid team did poorly 3/4 of the last game. In that period, she only got Osasuna away (4-1), but she also registered two defeats (a home draw in the King's Cup by Real Socedad 3-4 and the last defeat at Levante 0-1). Not even a home league draw against Celta (2-2) was commendable.
Before this mini-crisis, Real lost his last game in mid-October (at Mallorca) and after that he played as many as 21 games in all competitions without defeat (ratio 15-6-0).
The current situation has definitely broken down, and the fall is especially noticeable in the defensive part of the game, which we have often praised at Real. In the last four games, Real has been scoring at least one goal (or more) in the match. Likewise, Eden Hazard was injured again, a reinforcement from the summer that was to become "the new Ronaldo" in at least one part. But so far, the Belgian footballer has dealt almost exclusively with his injuries and not with his game.
What has been the whole season so far for Real, that's how the Madrid team played in the Champions League. They started poorly, slowly and with many mistakes (0-3 at PSG and home draw against Club Brugge 2-2, although the Belgians led 2-0). After that, Real went 3-1-0 in the Champions League, and that draw was supposed to be a win (in Madrid 2-2 against PSG after Madrid's lead 2-0 until ten minutes before the end).
Despite such recent games and results, Zinedine Zidane has not lost his composure:
- We need to stay focused on the pitch, the game and what comes next, not one or two bad results. Guardiola? The best coach in the world, but this is not a fight for him and me. This is our teams match, and my boys are excited, motivated and extremely fond of such attractive matches where they can show up on the big stage - said the Real coach, who has played 2.5 goals in 36/40 of the last Champions League games .
Six teams went undefeated in the group stage of this Champions League this season, with one of those six teams being Manchester City (4-2-0). In addition, City ranked second on the defense list (only four goals scored).
That defense has also stood out in the last two meetings. After being completely unrealistic, City's players have completed two unbeaten runs (Manchester United 0-1 and Tottenham 0-2), in the last two appearances Ederson's net has not shaken (West Ham 2-0 and Leicester 1-0).
But the main forte of this team (it has been for years) is the attack, which is confirmed this season as well, so City have the best attack in the Premier League (68 goals in 27 games), and this attack and away is the most effective (35 goals in 14 games) meeting).
Still, there are counter-examples, so the City attack was absolutely quiet (and calm) in the 2015/16 season. the last time these two teams played. Zidane's Real then completely stopped Aguero, De Bruyne, Sterling and others in two semi-final Champions League games (first 0-0 at the Etihad and then 1-0 at Madrid). - We must be at our maximum. We should carry out everything planned and planned on the field in both meetings. Being as concentrated and successful as possible. But even then, I'm not sure we'll pass. We also need some luck in everything. These will be two terribly tough matches against a huge rival - announced City coach Josep Guardiola, who should have Sterling ready to play as early as Wednesday.
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid (ESP)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - Manchester City FC (ENG)
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
-Real Madrid have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches in Champions League.
-Man City are undefeated in their last 7 matches in Champions League.
-Real Madrid are undefeated in their last 5 matches in Champions League.