Real Madrid: 5 players on Manchester City who could cause trouble

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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 02, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus) /

LW Raheem Sterling

Easily one of the best players in the world, Raheem Sterling has been mentioned in rumblings linking him to a future transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu. For now, Sterling is focused on facing Real Madrid, and while he’s not guaranteed to play in the first leg as he is coming off an injury, Real must prepare for him. And they will for sure see him in the second leg in a few weeks.

Sterling is a gem of a player and one of the most intelligent wingers on this planet. He embarrasses offside traps and has become one of the most lethal finishers at the position. Sterling is a manager’s dream and a defense’s nightmare, and he is the exact kind of player who can cause even Real’s vaunted back four major issues.

Let’s just say Dani Carvajal will have to be at his absolute best if Sterling plays. The winger has a team-high five goals in only 411 Champions League minutes to go with 11 goals in the Premier League this season.

CM Kevin de Bruyne

For my money, Kevin de Bruyne is the best center midfielder in the world, and even Real Madrid’s long-time superstar Toni Kroos can’t quite measure up to the former Genk man.

De Bruyne is averaging an astounding three key passes per game, 2.8 dribbles per game, and 1.5 fouls drawn per game in the Champions League. Those are numbers a world-class winger would be proud of, let alone a creative midfielder.

He’s become more of an all-action player under Guardiola and is the manager’s weapon of choice in the midfield. With one single pass – or ridiculous volley – de Bruyne can change the entire complexion of a game. KDB’s 3.7 key passes per game in the Premier League is simply ridiculous, as his return of 8 goals and 16 assists. He is having a special, special season.

Take a look at these numbers. De Bruyne is first in the Premier League in through balls, first in passes into the penalty area (77 compared to second-place Wilfried Zaha‘s 53), and second to only Aguero with 1.04 goals or assists per 90 minutes (minus penalties).

Next. Real Madrid vs. Manchester City Bold Predictions. dark

Zidane will be up all night devising a gameplan to stop him, and Casemiro will have to be at peak performance on Wednesday with KDB lurking.

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