Manchester City are looking to reach their first Champions League final when they take on Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.
The tie is evenly poised after the 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium, but Real Madrid, who are yet to concede a goal at home in this month’s competition, will have star man Cristiano Ronaldo back in the side after he missed the first leg with a hamstring injury.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Zinedine Zidane said: “Cristiano is okay. He is 100 per cent.
“He trained this morning and he will be there tomorrow.”
Zidane will be hoping he can lead his side to a 14th final in the competition as they look to extend an unbeaten nine-game run against English sides in the Champions League.
There was also good news for City boss Manuel Pellegrini after it was revealed midfielder Yaya Toure had travelled with the squad to Madrid.
The Ivory coast international, who missed City’s last two games with a thigh injury, trained ahead of the second leg, but the club initially tweeted he had not travelled.
However, the club later confirmed that Toure was indeed on the plane to Spain, meaning he could play some part at the Bernabeu.
Team news
While Ronaldo will be back in Real’s ranks, Zidane confirmed Karim Benzema is a doubt after the French striker limped off in the first leg with a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Casimero is also a doubt after missing training before the clash with Pellegrini’s side.
For City, David Silva (hamstring) is out and fellow midfielder Samir Nasri is ineligible.
A host of other players are set to return after being rested for the weekend loss at Southampton.
Opta stats
Manchester City are currently unbeaten in six Champions League matches; their longest run ever in the competition (W3 D3).
City have lost three of their last four Champions League matches away in Spain; although they did claim victory in their most recent outing in the country (2015/16 group stage v Sevilla).
Sergio Aguero hasn’t had a shot on target in the Champions League for 432 minutes.
His last one was his goal against Dynamo Kiev in February. Aguero has failed to score in his last four Champions League games, his longest drought in the competition since his run of five games without a goal between November 2011 and October 2012.
Ronaldo has only missed seven of Real Madrid’s 80 Champions League games since his arrival at the club in 2009. In that time, Real have won 71 per cent of their matches when he has featured (52 out of 73) compared to 43 per cent (3 out of 7) when he’s been absent.
The former Manchester United striker has scored or assisted 77 per cent of Real Madrid’s goals in this season’s competition (20 out of 26). He’s only goal away from the Champions League record for most goals in a Champions League campaign, a record he currently holds (17 in 2013/14).
UEFA Champions League Preview SF: Real Madrid vs Manchester City
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