TONIGHT MANCHESTER CITY TAKE on Real Madrid in the first Champions League semi-final.
Pep Guardiola's treble chasing City have a chance to avenge their semi-final defeat to serial winners Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu tonight.
Madrid, who are serial winners in the Champions League will be a stern test for City though.
Here's a full preview of the game.
🤩🎥 ALL of our #UCL 2022/23 goals so far! pic.twitter.com/HXNMWeIrFq
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 9, 2023
Where is the game on?
Santiago Bernabéu (Spain)
What time is it on?
8pm
What TV station are they on?
RTE TWO (Ire)
BT Sport 1 (Eng)
What time does coverage start?
RTE's coverage starts at 19.30
Predicted lineups for the Champions League games
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
How did both teams get here?
City finished top of their group. They beat RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in the last-16 and the quarterfinals
Madrid also finished top of their group. Madrid beat Liverpool and Chelsea in their games.
What happened last year?
Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (agg 6-5)
Who were the scorers for Manchester City and Real Madrid?
Rodrygo (90', 90+1'), Karim Benzema (95' pen) scored for Real Madrid. Riyad Mahrez (73') scored for Manchester City in one of the best comeback games ever.
Head-to-Head record
05/04/2022 Real Madrid Man City 3-1
04/26/2022 Man City Real Madrid 4-3
08/07/2020 Man City Real Madrid 2-1
02/26/2020 Real Madrid Man City 1-2
05/04/2016 Real Madrid Man City 1-0
04/26/2016 Man City Real Madrid 0-0
11/21/2012 Man City Real Madrid 1-1
09/18/2012 Real Madrid Man City 3-2
Injury news and changes
Real Madrid will be without Militao in the first leg due to suspension, while Mendy is doubtful and Ceballos is out due to injury. Modric is expected to start after recovering from a hamstring concern. Tchouameni may be replaced by Modric, and Rudiger will play alongside Alaba in defence. Camavinga is likely to continue at left-back.
Manchester City's Guardiola has defensive concerns with Ake ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Palmer nursing an ankle issue, but Palmer has travelled with the team. Guardiola may bring in Walker to face Vinicius Junior. Rodri, Stones, Silva, and Grealish are expected to return to the first team after being rested.
Referee
Referee: Artur Dias
Assistants: Paulo Soares & Pedro Ribeiro
Fourth Official: Daniele Orsato
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati
Assistant VAR: Tiago Martins
Top scorers
Erling Haaland Manchester City 12
Vinícius Júnior Real Madrid 6
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates scoring his 2nd goal (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)What have the managers said
Pep Guardiola: "It was tough but we made an exceptional first game in Manchester and played a really good game here.
"In general it was a good performance but it was not enough. You congratulate them and accept it and now one year later we are here.
"We are not here for revenge. It is another opportunity. One day we will get it. We will get to the final and win it.
"It didn't happen last season as we played Real Madrid and in this competition they know exactly what they have to do."
Carlo Ancelotti: "We need to play a complete game tomorrow and be aware that the decisive match will be the second leg. So our aim is to travel to Manchester with a small advantage," Ancelotti told a press conference on Monday.
"As for an advantage I mean it’s not only about the result, it’s attitude, the mental part of the game too.
