Manchester City pushed out from one crisis to another this season. A bad form, a mutilation list of injuries and well -documented problems outside the field have suppressed their ability to re -replicate the previous years of domination.
City is the fifth in the Premier League, 13 points that are Liverpool leaders and there is almost no way to ask for a fifth consecutive title. They could only manage 22. In the renovated Champions League table and suffered defeats such as Sporting CP, which would be unthinkable just 12 months ago.
The air of invincibility has long gone.
And so, their conflict with the defense of the European Champion Real Madrid is concluded in advance, right?
🛬 Touchdown in Manchester! pic.twitter.com/o2aes2rmu
– Real Madrid Cf 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadenid) 10. February 2025
Madrid fights
Wrong. Madrid also endures a relative crisis and will arrive in England out of shape, missing almost all their first choice. Mbappe.
Saturday’s draw with Atletico Madrid meant that they kept the first place in La Liga, but the first three were only separated by two points, and Barcelona has returned her Mojo in recent weeks.
Madrid won only one of his last three games, and in the kindness of the last goal Gonzal Garcia in Leganes at Copa del Rey.
On the weekend, they were based on a point against Atletico Diego Simeone, but only after coach Carlo Ancelotti had to lay the law on his wrong shooting forward.
Widespread reports in Spain claim that Italian was so dissatisfied with the individuality, having the advantage over the team instructions, he commanded the half -time Vinicius Jr, Bellingham and Mbappe to improve or drain.
Mbappe has immediately ordained the equalizer, but the incident offers further weight to the theory that all three want to take a similar place on the field, which has led to an imbalance that affects other areas.
Throw in your defense care and the city should be encouraged.
Pep 💬 We are where we are and I know perfectly. But the team has something special and we hope tomorrow that we can prove it. pic.twitter.com/od9fqehs27
– Manchester City (@Mancity) 10. February 2025
Yes, the domestic part is still missing the Ballon d’Or to the winner Rodri, but to Madrid will be forced into the field of defense that lacks physicality and experience.
Defensive misery
Eder Miliota and Carvajal Days are both of them in the season, while Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are likely to miss both the legs of the city tie. Alaba just returned from almost 13 months before she was demolished again.
If this is not bad enough for Ancelotti, stand-up right back Lucas Vazquez had to get out of a derby with athlete with a knee injury and will not travel to Manchester.
All this adds to what will contain a makeshift four on Etihad.
The midfielder Federico Valverde could start with the right back. While the Uruguayan international has all the attributes for the adequate fulfillment of the role, his athletism will hardly miss at the center of the field.
Central defensive pairing is likely to contain another midfielder in Aurelien Tchouumen. The Frenchman is technically great and succeeds when Madrid has a lot of balls. However, City should have its own share of possession tomorrow night, and Erling Haaland will lick the lips in anticipation at the thought of a physical battle that will undoubtedly win.
Asencio partner tchoumeni
In addition to Tchoumenia, there will be Raul asencio. The 21-year-old was excellent against athletics, but he lacks experience in a great opportunity, especially in the European competition.
And then on the left will be Ferland Mendy. The former Lyon full back is set up to nod over Fran Garcia and will be key to organizing an inexperienced back.
Another thing to consider is five more Madrid players who could play tomorrow night – Bellingham, Tchouumen, Eduardo Camavinda, Endrick and Luka Modric – all reserved from leakage of another leg through a suspension.
City still scratch for their best form, but they couldn’t play Madrid at a better moment.
