Kevin De Bruyne's hat-trick goal at Wolves may have been unstoppable from the moment it left his weaker foot but it did bring to an end an astonishing sequence for the Belgian superstar. That strike was his first in 10 that hadn't given Manchester City the lead in a game.
Three biggest Real Madrid threats Pep Guardiola and Man City must plan for
26.04.2022 - 13:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City booked their place in a second-consecutive Champions League semi-final with a 1-0 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final.
Kevin De Bruyne's lone goal in the first-leg was enough to earn City progression and set up a two-legged clash against 12-time winners Real Madrid. Los Blancos served a 5-4 thriller in their own quarter-final against holders Chelsea, with extra-time needed to separate the sides.
Back in 2020, Pep Guardiola's side knocked out Madrid in the last 16, with a 2-1 comeback win at the Santiago Bernabeu coupled with another 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium. But two years on, the two teams are in completely different stages of their development and are arguably in the peak of their powers. Ahead of the first-leg at the Etihad tonight, here are three Real Madrid that Guardiola must be wary of:
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola reveals 'secret' behind his brilliant record vs Real Madrid
1. Keeping Karim Benzema quiet
Easier said than done, of course.
The fact Ruben Dias is fit is a huge boost for Pep Guardiola, but City have a full-back problem and some of the world's best defenders have struggled to keep the most in-form striker in Europe quiet. Adding to his incredible goalscoring record in La Liga, Benzema has scored a staggering 12 goals in his nine Champions League appearances this season — including back-to-back hat-tricks.
He almost single-handedly turned around the last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain in the second-half, scoring three goals and causing huge nightmares.
City's defence will have to be extremely tight to the French international. His movement in and around the six-yard area is masterful and Guardiola will likely deploy a backline that can compete in the air.
The website popstar.one is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
10.05.2022 / 18:59
Erling Haaland told Man City the two reasons why he chose them over Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern
Erling Haaland has told Manchester City he wanted to join them for emotional and football reasons only, after clinching a £51million move from Borussia Dortmund. The transfer has still to be finalised but the Blues have already announced that the 21-year-old Norway international is set to join them on July 1.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
04.05.2022 / 23:45
'Giving us nothing' - Man City fans rage over Casemiro referee decisions vs Real Madrid
Manchester City supporters raged after Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro went unpunished during the opening 45 minutes of their Champions League showdown. With a place in the rearranged Paris showpiece at stake the return leg began in a more tactical and subdued fashion.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
03.05.2022 / 16:45
Real Madrid will find Man City a different prospect than in 2016 warns Kevin De Bruyne
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.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
03.05.2022 / 14:25
Man City get injury boost as Kyle Walker trains ahead of Real Madrid fixture
Kyle Walker trained with Manchester City on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League game with Real Madrid but John Stones did not.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
28.04.2022 / 12:41
Pep Guardiola faces a daunting challenge as he tries to cut out Man City's worst habit
Even the most glass-half-empty supporter would be hard pressed to come up with a Manchester City performance better than what we saw against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
27.04.2022 / 00:43
Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva make admission over Man City performance vs Real Madrid
Manchester City players were disappointed to have only beaten Real Madrid by one goal in their breathless Champions League semi-final first leg.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
26.04.2022 / 18:15
The nine players to play both Man City and Real Madrid
Manchester City will be hoping to reach a successive Champions League final when they face Real Madrid on Tuesday evening in the competition’s semi-final first leg at the Etihad Stadium.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
26.04.2022 / 15:09
Man City can show Real Madrid what they've changed since timid 2016 defeat
Six years ago Manchester City found themselves facing then 10-times Champions League winners Real Madrid in a first ever semi-final in the competition for the club.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
22.04.2022 / 20:11
Pep Guardiola might already know Man City's next captain after Fernandinho
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho announced that he will leave the club in the summer after playing in England for nine seasons with the reigning Premier League champions.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
19.04.2022 / 22:39
Real Madrid could still beat Man City to Erling Haaland and other rumours
The race for Erling Haaland is not over, according to a family friend.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
17.04.2022 / 10:31
Man City prolific forward line raises questions over £246m Erling Haaland transfer gamble
Manchester City’s summer pursuit of Harry Kane is well documented, as Pep Guardiola identified the Tottenham talisman as his preferred striking target and sought to acquire his services for the best part of three months. City began the season with Gabriel Jesus as their only recognised centre-forward, and Guardiola prefers to play the Brazilian on the wing.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
16.04.2022 / 17:31
'Huge relief' - Man City get big Kevin de Bruyne boost in FA Cup semi-final vs Liverpool
Manchester City fans were relieved to see Kevin De Bruyne make the bench as Pep Guardiola rang the changes for their FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.