Manchester City will host Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday in a meeting of two clubs with a gulf in pedigree that could be scarcely be any wider.
While Real Madrid are the most successful outfit in the history of Europe’s premier competition, having held the trophy aloft 10 times, Manchester City had never even been beyond the last 16 prior to this season.
MANCHESTER CITY
Pellegrini who has coached numerous Spanish clubs Villarreal and Malaga, but his step up to a truly giant club and the chance to manage Real Madrid in 2008 came to a unsavory end after just a single season.
The Chilean led Real Madrid to their highest points total in La Liga history that campaign, but the fact that Pep Guardiola’s brilliant Barcelona team still edged them out for the title and Madrid suffered early exits in the Champions League and Copa de Rey meant Pellegrini was shown the exit door.
REAL MADRID
Real Madrid should also go into Tuesday’s match with confidence, although they endured a far tougher time on Saturday. Thrust back into the Primera Division title race after Barcelona’s unexpected collapse, Madrid were staring at the end of their hopes after falling 2-0 behind to Rayo Vallecano.
But, inspired by Gareth Bale, reveling in the enforced absence through injury of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid fought back to claim victory and remain just a single point behind Barcelona and Atlético Madrid at the top of La Liga.
TEAM NEWS
Ronaldo sat out on Saturday with a thigh strain, and, although he is expected to feature against Manchester City, whether he will be fully fit is another matter. There is an even bigger question mark over Karim Benzema, who limped out of the win over Rayo Vallecano.
City, though, have injury concerns of their own, with Yaya Toure and Fernando both picking up knocks against Stoke.
But ronaldo and bezema have both being passed fit to face Manchester City
HEAD TO HEAD
Manchester City and Real Madrid’s only previous competitive encounter was in the 2012-13 Champions League group stages. The Merengues won 3-2 at the Bernabeu before a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium.
PREDICTION : Manchester City 3 Real Madrid 1
TIME: 6:45 GMT
UEFA Champions League Semi Final 1 Preview : Manchester City Vs Real Madrid
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