Real Madrid: 3 advantages against Manchester City

Real Madrid are behind in their Champions League tie against Manchester City, but they still have a few key advantages.

In late February, Real Madrid collapsed in the final 20 minutes of the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Manchester City, losing 2-1. Next Friday, Real will face the Citizens at the Etihad Stadium, needing to score at least two goals if they can keep Pep Guardiola’s dangerous side off the scoresheet.

But despite being behind, Real have three key advantages they can use to make a comeback victory against one of the Premier League’s best teams.

Several super subs

Most teams have one super sub, but Real Madrid have several. Let’s say Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio don’t start. Real Madrid can bring them on in the second half and use them to completely change the game. In his very first match back from a torn ACL, Asensio scored with his first touch and then assisted for Karim Benzema later in the 3-0 win. Now THAT is called being a super sub.

Vinicius had a similar game-changing impact in a 1-0 win at El Derbi in February, coming off the bench in the second half to help create the lone goal in the game.

Luka Jovic, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde, Marcelo, the list goes on and on. With five substitutes available to use, Zinedine Zidane has a deep bench and a roster of hungry players ready to be the difference, especially if the game goes to extra time.