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Previewing Real Madrid x Manchester City



The last two matches of the Chanpions League provide a big contrast. In my opinion today we have the duel with the biggest favorite and also the most 50/50 one.

Let's discuss the premiere match of this round of 16 and what we should expect

Real Madrid x Manchester City

Once again we see Real Madrid facing a tough opponent right out of the gate after finishing second in their group. Pep Guardiola gets a chance for his first signature win in Europe with Manchester City.

Oddly enough despite their struggles in the Premier League, the bookies have Manchester City as the favorites to win it all, something that if you saw any of my earlier posts I don't necessarily agree with. What reason would you have to put the Citizens ahead of Liverpool is beyond me.

It's hard for me to even say that City is a slim favorite in the round of 16, much less to win the whole thing.

Both teams have big absences as Sterling and Hazard won't be able to play but looking at the squad as a hole, Pep Guardiola has better options on his bench. not that Zidane's squad is thin but the options that City have are unreal.

Looking at what to expect from the match Manchester City is not a team that adjusts too much to the opponent in terms of their style of play, they obviously look to attack different weakness on different opponents but the basic principles usually stays the same. While I expect to see City winning the possession battle Real Madrid won't sit back too much. All signs points towards a very open game with chances from both sides.

Because the match is in Spain I actually think the more back and forth is. In their last exits from this competition City lacked poise and the ability to just control the tempo of the match, allowing a couple of goals in a very short span from Son against Spurs last year was an example of that.

The number one thing for the Citizens to worry about is to not be too vulnerable because in these big European matches that will kill you. They'll be asked to take a step back at a point in that match and become more compact and they haven't been able to do that in the past.

I am intrigued by what selection will Zidane throw out there. I believe he will play Casemiro, Kroos, Valverde and Modric in an attempt to clog the midfield. How will that work it remains to be seen. I'd be surprised if he goes with the traditional 4-3-3.

Without Hazard and not knowing what J get from Real Madrid's attack outside of Benzema it's tough for me to pick them to advance but it would definitely not surprise me. I also think that Guardiola os due for that European night of glory so many diapointments since leaving Barcelona in matches that could've easily gone different. He is bound to catch a a break eventually.


Who advances: Manchester City


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