You make a strong siting on this aspect with Manchester City's defense as the main actors in that position will be absent in today's first leg of the game which is going to be a challenge for Pep Gardiola but I have that confidence in Pep to know how to cover his loopholes in any game and this won't be of a significant difference as Stones might surprise us with an unexpected performance tonight.
I will not for any reason want to undermine the ability of real madrid or Manchester City in winning this match tonight as the two teams have all the creative talents it requires to win so it's an open game for me. The only difference is that real madrid is playing at home which is why Manchester City will not want to see them win either.
The home field is a very important aspect in such a match, and given that Real have not lost a single official game at home this season, it becomes clear that defeating Real today will not be easy. Real today only needs a win, because Ancelotti understands that at the Etihad it will be a different team and City will have huge support. I don’t believe in City’s win today, there are problems in defense that will make it difficult to achieve this, especially since Real’s attack is now stronger than ever.
In theory we could be seeing real madrid already taking home the 3 points in this game going by all the analysis on paper but practically when the ball bounce it could be a different ball game with all the intensity and vigor that will be emanating from this clash.
Manchester City actually isn't in good form, they're currently lack of defenders because Gvardiol, Ake and Walker are injured. So they will force Stones to replace Walker's position, which I think not good because Stones is just a mediocre player when he's not play at defensive midfield position.
The first leg should be Real Madrid's game, they already improved a lot than the last season.
You make a strong siting on this aspect with Manchester City's defense as the main actors in that position will be absent in today's first leg of the game which is going to be a challenge for Pep Gardiola but I have that confidence in Pep to know how to cover his loopholes in any game and this won't be of a significant difference as Stones might surprise us with an unexpected performance tonight.
I will not for any reason want to undermine the ability of real madrid or Manchester City in winning this match tonight as the two teams have all the creative talents it requires to win so it's an open game for me. The only difference is that real madrid is playing at home which is why Manchester City will not want to see them win either.
Obviously I think the last thing that would happen is that Real Madrid would be that on laxity to entertain a home defeat in this game, I believe this game will be difficult for the visitors Manchester City to win, However, should that happen, there's no longer hope of bouncing back by Real Madrid if they lose to Manchester City at home, so in this case what do they expect at City's home soil , win? No way , Real Madrid need to play with full strength to win this game or get a draw, that way the pressure would now be on Manchester City side during second leg game.
That is the thing, we all don't expect real madrid to entertain a loss on their own ground tonight but is that a clear cut possibility? No. That Manchester City are playing away in this first leg doesn't mean they will be the losing side in this game, they have the strength to break in and get a win if the opportunity shows up but at most what I could think of here is that this game is ending as a draw.
What has always been the custom of many champions league teams when they get to this particular stage in the competition is to go away and fight with all their strength for a draw where winning doesn't seem visible, to later make sure they secure a home win in the second leg at home. Hence I strongly believe that's what City are going to Santiago Bernabéu to fight for knowing fully that real madrid isn't an easy side to win especially on their own ground soil.