Why is Guardiola’s men the best time to play European champions?
Manchester City has been leaning from one crisis to another this season. Poor morphology, crippled injury lists, and well-documented off-field issues have contradicted the ability to replicate the domination of previous years.
City is fifth in the Premier League, a 13-point drift from leader Liverpool, with little chance of winning the fifth consecutive title. They managed only 22nd place in the improved Champions League table and were defeated by something like a sports CP that they could not think of just 12 months ago.
The invincible air has disappeared for a long time.
And their clash with European champion Real Madrid is a natural conclusion, right?
Touchdown at Manchester! pic.twitter.com/o2asre2rmu
– Real Madrid CF🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@RealMadriden) February 10, 2025
Madrid is struggling
It’s wrong. Madrid has also endured a relative crisis, arriving in the UK and effectively missed the entire first choice to the back four times, accusing the lack of chemistry of Vinicius JR, Jude Bellingham and Killian of a great rebuttal He is accused of doing so. mbappe.
Saturday’s draw with Atletico Madrid meant they held the top spot in La Liga, but the top three were separated by just two points, with Barcelona regaining their mojo in recent weeks.
Madrid has only won one of his final three games, courtesy of Gonzalo Garcia Goal in the final gasp at Leganes at Copa del Rey.
Over the weekend, they built a point against Diego Simeone’s Atleti, but only after Coach Carlo Ancelotti had to abandon the law before he was erroneously burned.
This morning’s extensive report in Spain claims that the Italians were very unhappy with the personality that takes priority over the team’s instructions, and he gave Vinicius Jr., Bellingham and Mbappe half-time orders. I was improved or dragged.
Mbappe quickly netted the equalizer, but the incident gives more weight to the theory that all three want to occupy similar places on the pitch, leading to imbalances affecting other areas.
They should throw their defensive worries in and encourage the city.
pep💬We’re where we are and I know perfectly. But there’s something special about the team and I hope tomorrow we can prove it. pic.twitter.com/od9fqehs27
– Manchester City (@mancity) February 10, 2025
Yes, there is still a shortage of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri on the home side, but Madrid is forced to defend with no physicality and experience.
Defensive misery
Edder Militau and Dani Carbahal are both coming out towards the season, but Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba could miss both of their urban tie feet. Alaba had just returned from almost 13 months before being hit again.
If that wasn’t enough for Ancelotti, right-back Lucas Vazquez didn’t travel to Manchester, stumbling out of the derby at Atletti due to a hamstring injury.
It is all added to what constitutes the interlocking back four at Etihad.
Midfielder Federico Valverde was able to start from the right back. And while Uruguay International has all the attributes to properly fulfill his role, his athletic ability is very overlooked at the heart of the field.
The central defensive pairing could also include another midfielder from Aurelien Chuameni. The French are technically superior and thrive when Madrid has a lot of balls. However, City should have considerable ownership tomorrow night, and Erling Haaland licks his lips thinking of a physical fight for him to undoubtedly win.
Chaumeni, a partner from Asensio.
Along with Chou Ameni, you will become Raul Asensio. The 21-year-old was excellent against Atleti, but has not had any major opportunities, especially in European competition.
And on the left is Ferland Mendy. The previous Lyon fullback is set to nod to Frangarcia, making it the key to organizing an inexperienced backline.
Another thing to consider is the five Madrid players who can play tomorrow night. Bellingham, Chow Ameni, Eduardo Camabinga, Endric and Lucamodric have booked away from missing the second leg through the suspension.
City may still be scratching for their best form, but they couldn’t hope to play Madrid at a better time.