Manchester City are preparing for one of the biggest matches in the club’s 136-year history this evening, taking on Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.
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Cape Town – Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has praised the returning Cristiano Ronaldo, but added that the Real Madrid side they held to a draw last week were formidable even without him. I’ve been playing in the Champions League for many years, first with Shakhtar and now here at City, and it’s the first time I’ve reached a semi-final.
“In the three seasons in the Champions League, we have played very well away”, said Pellegrini. So we will go to Madrid with a lot of focus and give everything we have to win this trophy.
The two teams played out a goalless draw and that means City must beat the Spanish giants or record a score draw in order to book their spot in the final for the first time. It’s a different game and we know we’ll suffer from the first minute to the 90th.
“The most important thing is that we have to be prepared for a hard task. A very good team is coming to the Bernabeu, but we will try to progress to the final”.
“When you are the manager of Real Madrid, you imagine that you can go far in the Champions League”. With 93 goals he is 10 goals ahead of rival Lionel Messi, while his ratio of goals since joining Real Madrid (1.06 per game) is better than any other striker. “The pressure at this stadium is always great but we have the personality and team to win it”.
“I am not going to change tomorrow”, he said.
Zidane also revealed that he hopes Ronaldo’s return would help them achieve their aim, especially after his goals were severely missed at the Etihad.
Real Madrid are yet to concede at goal at home this season which puts them as favourites in the second leg. Manchester City, however, should not be underestimated. City initially said Toure was going to miss the match because of a muscle ailment, but later said he made the trip to Madrid and was listed as doubtful.
It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo plays against City.
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“De Bruyne? I am not focusing on one specific player”.
