Real Madrid: 3 key battles to watch at Manchester City
CF Karim Benzema vs. Manchester City’s center backs
Manchester City will likely start Fernandinho at center back next to Aymeric Laporte. Fernandinho isn’t a true center back, but he’s an excellent, intelligent defender who is as consistent as they come. Noting how brilliant Laporte has been for City, this is not a center back duo to take lightly.
But Real Madrid have Karim Benzema, who was the MVP of La Liga in 2019-2020. Benzema was criticized at one point early in the season for not scoring in enough big games, and he’s destroyed that rather laughable narrative. It was Benzema who scored 1-0 winners at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and in February’s Derbi, for example. Benzema has even come up with winning assists, such as the jaw-dropping backheel against Espanyol.
It’s possible that no team remaining in the Champions League relies more on their No. 9 than Real Madrid does Benzema. Manchester City has Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling as capable goal-scorers, and Gabriel Jesus’ own excellence is another big reason why City don’t have to sweat Sergio Aguero being unavailable on Friday night at the Etihad.
Next. 3 tactical predictions for Real Madrid at Manchester City. dark
Madrid, however, always need Benzema to be at his best. He scored more than 20 goals in La Liga as the only forward with 10 goals, and he does so much more than score goals. Benzema can be the disruptor to City’s defense, leading the charge to a 2-0 win for Los Blancos.