La Liga had the most teams involved in this season’s Champions League quarter-finals, with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid all in the last eight. However, the former pair both bowed out of the competition on Tuesday, losing to Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
It means that Real Madrid are the sole team from Spain left, as they prepare to face Manchester City in their own quarter-final second leg, which takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening. Last week’s first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu ended in a 3-3 stalemate, so the tie is finely poised going to Manchester. Los Blancos’ supporters, for now, still have the chance to know how to find and buy Champions League Final Tickets.
Real Madrid would face either PSG or Dortmund in the showpiece event at Wembley, provided that they defeat Man City and Arsenal/Bayern Munich. Their quarter-final test is sure to be their biggest of the possible match-ups, especially considering that the reigning Champions League champions are unbeaten at home since before the 2022 World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have to break that streak if they are to reach the last four.
They are more than capable of doing so, which would set them on their way towards a record 15th title in the European Cup/Champions League. The likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham can all cause plenty of problems for Man City’s defence, but it is their own backline that could be stretched at the Etihad, especially with Aurelien Tchouameni unavailable due to suspension.
Some Real Madrid supporters will fear a repeat of last season’s demolition at the Etihad, which saw Man City win 4-0 to book their place in the final against Inter Milan. On that occasion, David Alaba and Eder Militao were their starting centre-backs, whereas it could be Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez – provided that the Brazilian is not fit enough to start.
Rudiger has been fantastic this season, but Nacho is a big question mark. He has struggled to perform, which has often led to Ancelotti preferring to utilise Tchouameni in a deeper role, as was the case last week at the Bernabeu. If Militao cannot start, it could be a big struggle for Real Madrid, with Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva all at the disposal of Pep Guardiola.
Many expect the winners of this season’s Champions League to come from this tie between Real Madrid and Man City. Los Blancos will hope that’s the case, provided that they manage to win at the Etihad on Wednesday.
By Alejandro Fernandez
