Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: 5 burning questions before Champions League match

2. What is the key to win against Manchester City?

Ali Al-Hassan

I know that we hear this a lot but it’s true. The midfield will be vital on the night and it’ll be extremely interesting to see how Zidane comes out. Playing Valverde will give him some more security but playing Modric will give him that unexpected touch in midfield. The team needs to be at their best because the second that a mistake is made, City will take advantage.

Kevin Parvizi

The key to victory is width. When Real Madrid lack width in their play on offense or get too narrow defensively, they hurt themselves. Look no further than the goals Mallorca, Club Brugge, and Levante scored to see how Real are dealt upset losses when their defense sleeps on the outside.

Hasan Karim

I think the midfield battle is where this game will be won or lost. City have some immensely talented players in the middle of the park, who will need watching. Kevin De Bruyne in particular is who makes their midfield tick – if he’s kept quiet, you quieten most of what is threatening about them.

City will want to dominate the midfield. Let Pep Guardiola play his game and control the sides of the defense. It’s a shame Zinedine Zidane isn’t a believer in Rodrygo, because they may need him, especially with Eden Hazard potentially injured.

Nithanth Ravindran

Defense. The defense has been Madrid’s strongest attribute this season for me and that theme has to continue vs City too. Madrid does have some offensive issues right now and while Hazard’s return does provide some relief; it’s going to take some more games to fully sort it out. And until the time the offensive issues aren’t completely sorted out, Madrid has to rely on their defense to keep winning them games.

Rahul Desai

The midfield will provide our chances. Toni Kroos has been playing phenomenal. Luka Modric is known for his final 15 minute performances which are spectacular. If the game came down to the wire, the midfield will be heavily counted on to create chances.

Yasheel Vyas

The key to victory is going to be how clinical Real Madrid are with their chances, they’ll surely create more against Manchester City who play a much more open style of football. Real Madrid failed to take their chances in the last few games which has costed them four points.

Los Blancos will have to take Kevin de Bruyne out of the game as City struggle when their key midfielder is having an off day. He has been their most impactful player and can score goals from range, can threaten from set pieces and has an outstanding eye for finding the right pass in transition. I think Zidane has planned for the same and won’t be surprised if he asks one of our midfielders to man mark him.