SUMMARY
- Real Madrid and Manchester City are set to face-off for the third time in three consecutive UCL seasons.
- The Los Blancos are attempting to make use of their home advantage by asking for permission to close the roof of their stadium.
A mouthwatering set of clashes are scheduled for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. On Matchday 1, Arsenal will host Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will welcome defending champions Manchester City.
Madrid and City are pegged against each other for the third consecutive time with each team advancing once in the past two seasons. They met in the semi-finals in the 2021/22 season where Madrid dramatically advanced to the final. In the 2022/23 UCL season’s semi-final, City defeated Madrid to advance to the final. Both teams went on to win their respective finals.
🚨 JUST IN: UEFA have accepted Real Madrid’s request to close the roof of the Bernabéu in tomorrow’s match. Confirmed. @jfelixdiaz pic.twitter.com/FKLfUPui6n
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 8, 2024
This time out, they meet a stage earlier in the quarter-finals. Madrid and City have had another fantastic season and fireworks are expected when they face off at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the fireworks will have no room to exit the stadium as reports from ESPN suggest the Los Blancos have asked UEFA for permission to keep the roof of their stadium closed. Some reports suggest that the permission has been granted.
How can a closed roof help Real Madrid against Manchester City?
Although no team is an overwhelming favorite for this match, City seems to have the upper hand on the field. However, the atmosphere in the stadium could play a huge role. Real Madrid fans are known to create a fantastic atmosphere. City players might feel the hostility around them and that could be hugely detrimental to their winning chances. On the other hand, the Los Blancos stars will thrive on this opportunity.
Not to forget, the Santiago Bernabeu is a new haven for the 14-time UCL winners. The revamped version of the stadium was unveiled in September 2023 and the match against City is going to be the biggest one yet at the new version of the $1.9 billion stadium. Fans have been urged to wear white. Players have publicized this movement as well. Expect a sea of white in the stadium that will completely overshadow the blue.
The atmosphere will play a massive role in the big UCL tie. Many would list down City as the favorites to win in a neutral venue but with Real Madrid’s plan to unnerve City at the Bernabeu already in place, Pep Guardiola‘s team might have a huge uphill task on their shoulders.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: Team news
Manchester City has received a huge blow in their defense. Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake have not traveled with the squad to Madrid. Although Guardiola previously informed the press about Walker’s injury, he had a ‘never say never’ attitude about it. However, Walker’s injury seems serious enough to leave him out. This could mean an easier outing for Vinicius Jr., at least pace-wise.
Kyle Walker is 𝙊𝙐𝙏 of Man City’s squad for this week’s 🆑 game at Real Madrid, which means we won’t get to see another epic Bernabéu encounter 🆚 Viní Jr. like last year 😢 pic.twitter.com/lm6LgTnS50
— 433 (@433) April 8, 2024
For Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti is without Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba. In his 200th UCL match, Ancelotti would hope for a strong performance from his young attack and midfield including Vinicius, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Fede Valverde.
It is difficult to believe that even with the names that Madrid’s attack possesses, City could outclass it. Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva were rampant in their 4-0 win against Madrid when the teams clashed last season. Could they do it again? Surely not at the Bernabeu, at least. What are your predictions for the massive UCL quarter-final tie? Let us know in the comments below.