Real Madrid forcing Man City into fresh defensive structure as semi-final looms
Certainly since Chelsea beat them in the 2021 final. That Porto night will always haunt Guardiola and City’s UAE backers if they fail to win the European Cup. At least twice.
This is how a club funded by Abu Dhabi wealth should perform; a dominant squad, with enough talent in reserve to manage Kevin De Bruyne’s minutes. Haaland has 45 goals from 39 appearances. Four shy of Clive Allen’s epic return for Spurs in 1986/87. Some may argue that Dixie got all his goals in the league but Haaland’s 11 in seven Champions League appearances is hardly stats padding.
But City fans will shudder at the sight of Real Madrid, the kings of European football, looking every inch the complete team while playing poorly. Right now, as an attacking force on the ball, Vinicius Jr only has Kylian Mbappé for company. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos refuse to grow old, although Carlo Ancellotti is managing their minutes like Pep does De Bruyne.
Seriously though, Guardiola has changed up the City team in anticipation of what’s to come. Madrid under Ancelotti are a steely defensive unit, marshalled by Éder Militão, that appears to have forced Pep’s hand.
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