Real Madrid: Five keys to coming back against Manchester City
By Parshva Shah
Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão must step up
Raheem Sterling gave Dani Carvajal a run for his money in the first leg even though he was brought on from the bench in the second half. It was Sterling’s brilliance that won City a penalty, which Kevin De Bruyne comfortably converted to give City the lead.
Carvajal committed the foul on Sterling inside the penalty area in that first leg, and given Sterling’s recent form (he scored six goals in his last three Premier League appearances) Carvajal will have to be on his heels and pocket him to minimize his influence.
As far as Éder Militão is concerned, this has to be the most important game of his Real Madrid career yet, and probably his entire senior career so far. There’s just so much that will be expected of the 22-year old center back.
Stepping into Sergio Ramos’ shoes is a daunting chore, not to forget the added pressure of a big Champions League night where everything is at stake and one blunder could cost the team a place in the quarterfinals.
With the likes of De Bruyne, Sterling, and Gabriel Jesus in red-hot form, and the return of Sergio Agüero to fitness on the cards, Carvajal and Militão could be the targets of City’s famed attack. It will take a colossal effort from these two to contain the opposition.