After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, the stage is set for the biggest game in Manchester City’s history at the Bernabeu.
But while City fans nervously await their fate, the Champions League semi-final second leg is not such an auspicious occasion for Real Madrid fans, whose club are playing their 27th (yes, TWENTY-SEVENTH) last-four European Cup tie.
To have your say on the likely line-ups, predictions and share your favourite moment from the rivalry through the years, use #360fans across social media.
If you are interested in joining the clubs or popping along to watch the big game with like minded fans, you can contact them via the social media accounts linked below.
Omar Mabrouk, REAL MADRID DUBAI FANS CLUB
The goalless draw at Etihad Stadium last Tuesday was reminiscent of another goalless game – between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid on April 14, 2015. On that occasion Real won the second leg 1-0 to advance to the Champions League semis. Oh how that result would be welcome again!
Many people believe that Real Madrid first remontada (comeback) of the season happened against Wolfsburg last month in the Champions League quarter-final. But Los Blancos’ real remontada occurred when Zinedine Zidane took over a destroyed team, full of conflicts and issues and with one of the most difficult changing rooms in the world of football.
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The recent performances of Real Madrid have been impressive, with the team showing a strong will to win each and every game – exemplified by the 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad at the weekend. Madrid fans should be confident that Zizou’s side will be playing in Milan on May 28. Crisitano Ronaldo’s fitness is still under scrutiny and even if he plays he surely won’t be 100%. Still, a half fit Cristiano is better than most! Karim Benzema is also doubtful.
There are a few things going against Manchester City heading into the second leg; Real have had an extra 24 hours to prepare after playing on Saturday, while City lost 4-2 to Southampton and will be without influential playmaker David Silva.
The key word for this game is ‘decisiveness’ – there will be no margin for error and here’s hoping Real score a goal or two before half-time to make our lives easier! #HalamadridYNadaMas
PREDICTION: Real Madrid 2-1 Manchester City
LIKELY REAL MADRID XI: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Kroos, Casemiro, Lucas Vasquez, Bale, Ronaldo
Gooooooooooooool @GarethBale11 #HalaMadridYNadaMas
— Omar Mabrouk (@Omar_mabrouk) April 30, 2016
REAL MADRID PLAYER TO WATCH: Gareth Bale. The Welsh winger has regularly been a man to call on in season-defining games – his goals against FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey Final, as well as Real Madrid’s second goal in Lisbon in the Champions League final confirm his ability as a big-game player.
MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER TO FEAR: Sergio Aguero. El Kun was almost anonymous in the first leg but Wednesday’s game gives him a second chance to prove himself. Ageuro’s record against Real Madrid is not brilliant – he’s never celebrated a single win against Los Blancos. Let’s hope it stays the same!
WHERE TO WATCH: Real Madrid Cafe in JBR
FACEBOOK: Real Madrid Dubai Fans Club
Chris Newbould, DUBAI MANCHESTER CITY SUPPORTERS CLUB
It’s been a funny season. Everything started so well, with a record unbeaten run and most pundits awarding us the title by October. Then the wheels fell off. City have since managed to go the whole season without beating any other teams in the top six and on a bad day we look like an expensively-assembled, footballing version of the Keystone Cops.
“On a bad day, City look like an expensively-assembled, footballing version of the Keystone Cops.”
We’ve just never known what to expect this season, as exemplified by our recent eight-game unbeaten streak, which had us all feeling pretty optimistic for the Champions League second leg in Madrid, until we were roundly thumped by Southampton on Sunday. It’s City all over, really.
This season’s plus points have included Kelechi Iheanacho, the 19-year old Nigerian footballing genius who has scored seven goals in five starts from a total of nine shots on target. So obviously he usually doesn’t get picked. The minuses have included Iheanacho never being picked (see above), Bony ever being picked, and the fact that most of our key players seem incapable of making it through 90 minutes without a three-month injury layoff.
Having a manager who, despite being a total gentleman and the most successful we’ve had in our history, has been very publicly working out his P45 since the start of the year probably hasn’t helped either.
PREDICTION: Real Madrid 0-0 Manchester City. (City to win 5-4 on penalties. Please.)
In the #MCFC supporters pub in Dubai. Great too see so much support, even thousand of miles away! #CmonCity #MCFCvsRM
— Craig Lunn (@craig_lunn) April 26, 2016
LIKELY MAN CITY XI: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Fernadinho, Toure (if fit), De Bruyne, Sterling; Iheanacho (please), Aguero
MAN CITY PLAYER TO WATCH: Sergio Aguero. He is due one of those history making goals like he stuck in at QPR back in 2012 – it would be nice. De Bruyne has also made a huge difference since he came back from injury, as evidenced by what happened when he was rested on Sunday.
REAL MADRID PLAYER TO WATCH: Cristinao Ronaldo. Personally, I’m hoping to watch Ronaldo displaying awful taste in headphones while sitting in the stands injured, just like in the first leg. Should he be fit, he’s probably still worth keeping an eye on for different reasons.
WHERE TO WATCH: The Huddle Sports Bar, Citymax, Al Barsha – home of the Dubai branch of the MCFC Supporters Club.
FACEBOOK: Dubai Manchester City Supporters Club
