Real Madrid plays tonight at the Etihad in Manchester without feeling like favorites in a tie that has looked bad for their interests.
For a team with a very optimistic nature like Madrid, the situation is strange. The beating suffered in this same scenario a year ago (4-0) does not help to raise the morale of Ancelotti's team. In Madrid they have no doubt that to pass they need a game that is little less than perfect, insurmountable in defense but above all sharp up front, with maximum use of opportunities because. Of course, some believe they will have it, as was seen in the first leg.
In any case, the statistics are what they are and reflect that Madrid needs little less than a feat. Manchester City has gone 22 consecutive games without losing in the Champions League, its best streak in the competition. City has overcome all the ties that began with a draw away from home and Madrid has never been able to win at the Etihad, where they have played five times with a balance of three defeats and two draws. Of eleven ties that the whites started with a draw at home, they only qualified in two; both precisely in Manchester, but against United.
Another emotional element plays against Madrid. The team could not beat City a week ago with a rival greatly reduced by casualties; without Ederson, their starting goalkeeper; Kyle Walker, Vinícius's best possible marker and De Bruyne, his most talented player in the midfield.
Ancelotti has been appealing to Madrid's spirit of resilience for several days. In his motivational talks he reminds the squad how they beat this team with two goals in the last minutes just two years ago, something that seemed beyond reason.
Guardiola did not give many clues about the eleven (Walker, Aké and De Bruyne will play) and used his traditional cautious speech in his press conference: “You can believe that you are better than Madrid, but they will turn it around. They will do it. We have to show our personality and be prepared to have a good performance. Otherwise we won't be able to beat a team like Madrid. When I praise Madrid, no one believes me.”
Ancelotti, in his press conference, did not get off the ship of caution either, but said he was not worried about last season's 4-0: “The statistics are there to be broken. There are many fields where Madrid had never won and then they did. Nothing keeps me up at night. It only takes it away if I eat too much dinner tonight,” he said, smiling.
The Italian coach announced that he is not preparing any tactical surprises: “Pep can rest assured. “I’m not going to try any magic,” he stated.
