The semi-final stage of the Champions League will start tonight (Tuesday) at 22:00 with the most intriguing encounter in its framework, when Manchester City will host Real Madrid. While the Blues dream of reaching the final for the second time in a row and try to win the first trophy in the club’s history, the Blancos will try to qualify for the final in Paris and aim for their 14th trophy win with the big ears.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team is close to securing the championship in Spain, a title in which the coach did not win his previous term in white. “In my previous tenure we won ‘only’ the Champions League,” he said with a smile in an interview with the AS before the game in England. “To this day, everyone tells me that Sergio Ramos’ goal is the most important in recent years.”
The coach continued: “For me, football is a simple game, even in strategy. Attack is built on creativity, defense is order. I can teach more about the second thing, the first is made up of creativity and I do not want to hurt that talent. Modric’s actions, or teaching Karim how to enter the plaza, I do not have to tell them anything. Florentino Perez? No other president has achieved more success than him. He’s like Berlusconi who was in Milan in my time. He never celebrates too much and always looks forward. That’s why he won so many degrees. “
Ancelotti expanded: “I am aware that I am coaching the biggest club in the world. In Madrid I feel special. To be honest, I never thought I would return to Madrid. People are still talking to me about winning the Champions League tenth. It is exciting”.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti confirmed that ahead of the game David Alaba and Casimiro are in doubt. While the Austrian brake may open, for the Brazilian the concern is greater and he is expected to open on the bench when Eduardo Camavinga takes his place.
On the other hand, Perlan Mandy, who has been absent from the last two league games, will return to 11th. On the other side Pep Guardiola will have to make do without his senior defensive duo – Kyle Walker (injury) and Joao Canselo (dismissal), while John Stones is also injured and is expected to miss.
Estimated Real Madrid composition according to the SS: Thibaut Courtois, Danny Carvajal, Adar Militau, David Alaba, Perlan Mandy, Luca Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Tony Cross, Federico Valverda, Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema.
Estimated Manchester City composition according to the SS: Ederson, Nathan Aka, Ruben Diash, American Laport, Oleksandr Ginchenko, Rodry Hernandez, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Rahim Sterling, Philip Foden and Gabriel Jesus.
