Real Madrid clinched the Copa del Rey, with their 2-1 win over Osasuna. With La Liga out of reach, the club should now turn their focus to the Champions League. They are in the semi-finals of the competition, where they will be taking on Manchester City. The two teams met at the same stage last season as well.
On that occasion, Real Madrid won the tie in thrilling fashion. For 180 minutes, Manchester City looked like they were on their way to the final. But then, Rodrygo scored in the 90th and 91st minute of the second leg to take things to extra-time, where Karim Benzema won it for Los Blancos.
Back then, there were question marks over Real Madrid as well and many did not believe that they could get the better of Manchester City. But they did. And this time around, the same doubts are being raised once again.
Wayne Rooney appears to be viewing Manchester City as the favourites in this tie. He wrote in his column in The Times:
"Manchester City will not just beat Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final — they’ll blow them away.Of course, I may be wrong. There is no side better at disproving arguments against them than Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid in the Champions League. But I just think City are so good that they’re on another level."
Real Madrid fans won’t be happy with Rooney’s comments
It is true that Manchester City are the team in form at the moment. While Real Madrid have stumbled on numerous occasions over the past several months, specifically in league games, Pep Guardiola’s side have built up form and momentum.
And while Real Madrid might have gotten the better of them last time around, this time they have a striker in Erling Haaland, who looks absolutely unstoppable. As a result, if Los Blancos are to go through to the final, they will have to find a way to keep the Norwegian superstar quiet over the two legs. That is something easier said than done.
You can never count this Real Madrid team out though. They have incredible experience of performing in big matches and the ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat constantly. When was the last time they lost a two-legged tie? So hopefully, the players will use Rooney’s words as extra motivation against Manchester City.