Real Madrid will find Man City a different prospect than in 2016 warns Kevin De Bruyne
03.05.2022 - 16:45
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Kevin De Bruyne says Manchester City are in much better shape to take on Real Madrid in a Champions League semi-final than they were when they crashed out in 2016. The Belgium ace was in his first season with the Blues, under Manuel Pellegrini, when they drew 0-0 at the Etihad and lost to a Fernando own goal in the Bernabeu.
City were poor that night, looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights, but this time they take a 4-3 lead to the home of the 13-times champions and also carry more confidence, especially after beating the newly-crowned Spanish champions home and away last time they met, in the last 16 of two years ago.
De Bruyne and Fernandinho are the only surviving players from that sobering defeat, and the Belgium ace says City are definitely in better shape than they were then. He also suggested that other clubs might have caught up with a Madrid team that was “the powerhouse” of that time.
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He said: “I think we are in better shape now. I remember when we played that game and didn't have the greatest of seasons. Madrid was the powerhouse at the time. I know we lost 1-0 in the end with an own goal but it was a pretty boring game if I remember correctly.
“We're in a better shape right now, we are better set up as a team and play better and have more experience in this stage so we will hopefully be better prepared.”
Pellegrini had already announced he was leaving the club, two months before that 2016 semi-final, and City had revealed that Pep Guardiola would take over the reins in the summer. That has also been significant in the advancement of the club, with City reaching the quarter-finals for the last five years and making the final for the first time last season.
De Bruyne says