Clash of the titans in the Champions League. Where does Manchester City have the edge and where is Real Madrid’s advantage?

A clash between arguably the strongest team in the world and the most successful football club in history. A battle between a perfectly organised team that relies on a sophisticated style and a team that relies on heart, determination and individuality. This is the duel between Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The Champions League heads into its final stages. Only the top four teams are left in the competition and they will be looking to outwit their opponents. And on Tuesday, we begin with a duel between Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Manchester City

In terms of playing style, the Citizens seem to have no competition in the world. The sophisticated system in which the strikers intermingle with the midfielders and full-backs is extremely eye-catching, and in possession of the ball, City players are very strong.

With the Citizens, it is very difficult to predict what formation they will play in. In fact, in the last few weeks alone, Pep Guardiola has relied on 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-3 and 4-2-4. The most used formation is the 4-3-3 with a false nine with Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling.

Control of the match

Guardiola prides himself on this discipline, whether he was at Barcelona, Bayern or City. “If we keep the ball, we can’t score goals,” he is often fond of saying. This is what will be very important in this match, because Real Madrid players also like the ball on the ball and they don’t like working in the block so much. However, the Citizens have to be constantly on guard, because the Merengues’ counter attacks after the gain are deadly.

Offensive variation

In terms of the breadth of the squad, Guardiola clearly has the upper hand. If we count that he sends in the offensive trio of Sterling, Foden, Mahrez, he can completely replace them with Jesus, Grealish and Bernardo Silva. Real don’t have that luxury on the bench.

Presink

If there’s one thing the Citizens are uncomfortable with, it’s presink. They want the ball back immediately after losing it and are not afraid to involve the whole team in the pressing. Real Madrid, however, like to cuddle with the ball and try to ride the ground away from the goalkeeper from every situation, even in the most difficult moments in dangerous spaces, they try to solve it in a footballing way. So here is the space for the Citizens to wait for the opponent’s mistake and strike.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid don’t have as elaborate a system as Guardiola, not in every game they are the better team. However, it can still manage matches, which is extremely important. A lot of players feel a real love for the club they would cut their teeth for, which on the other hand, not so much.

Carlo Ancelotti is the opposite of Guardiola, he doesn’t try to surprise opponents but relies on confidence and interplay. That’s why Real regularly play a 4-3-3 formation.

The art of winning big games

An intangible attribute, but all the more important. City have an objectively better team and they excel over the long haul, as in a league where they are not under as much pressure. But once they play under a lot of pressure, their performance is not the same. It’s not for nothing that this superteam has never won the Champions League and has only reached the final once.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, revel in the big games. The more pressure, the better. Also, the players have so much on their plate that the semi-finals won’t really decide them. Five players from the expected starting line-up have been on three consecutive LM titles.

The Benzema factor

If Chelsea have Benzema in the quarterfinals and Real don’t, the London side will advance. It’s as simple as that. When the French marksman has a day, the Merengues can win a game all by themselves. With 39 goals already in the current campaign, he is extremely dangerous in that he only needs one chance to score. City don’t have a reliable top striker and that can make all the difference.

Quick counter-attacks

One of Real’s biggest weapons this season. And also the moment where the Citizens are most vulnerable. Los Blancos have a cadre built for quick counter attacks, when they shoot it to Vinícius, Benzema, Valverde or Rodrygo, the opponent’s defenders find it very hard to catch. Add to that clever passes from Modric and Kroos and City’s defence is sounding the alarm.

Source: UEFA