Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted that his side will not be afraid to go to the Santiago Bernabeu looking for a result after the 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
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Real Madrid has confirmed Karim Benzema is suffering from a hamstring strain after the striker’s substitution at half-time in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final away to Manchester City on Wednesday (AEST). I can’t tell you right now if they will be fit.
“But we play away very similar to the way they played at the Etihad. If you can not win then a 0-0 draw is good”. “You need help off your team-mates but if your team plays well you can handle him”.
“Real Madrid must attack a little bit more”.
“I do not think they are favorites”, said Pellegrini, who was sacked after only one season as Real coach in 2009-2010. “We did not create clear chances to score”. In terms of intent, we had the most intent.
Kompany also paid tribute to City keeper Joe Hart, who made some outstanding saves at point-blank range late on to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
“We know (Sergio) Aguero is a good player so we didn’t give him much space”. “Unfortunately for us, we are going to have one day’s less rest than Real Madrid”.
Hart’s performance was not just important for ensuring Real did not take a lead away with them, but because it denied them an away goal.
“Before we go to Madrid, we must continue in the Premier League against a hard team in Southampton”.
“Before the game I thought it was 50/50, and I still think it is 50/50”.
“We’ve got a brilliant squad and everyone is fit now”.
“A 0-0 draw is an uncomfortable result for the team at home in the second leg”, he added.
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This time City have avoided defeat, and Kompany feels that with a tweak or two to their defending, and allowing for the possible return of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, the Blues can still progress. So I expect us to score a goal.
