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On Tuesday evening, two European heavyweights will meet in the Champions League in Madrid.
Legend:
Manuel Akanji vs. Rodrygo
A year ago the game in Madrid ended 1-1.
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The duel between Real Madrid and Manchester City is the ultimate in top European football. The two top teams have crossed swords every year since 2022.
In the 2021/22 season, the “Royals” prevailed in the semi-finals after a dramatic turnaround and later won the title.
Will Real get revenge?
Almost twelve months later, the “Skyblues” took revenge, also in the semi-finals. Coach Pep Guardiola’s team defeated Real 4-0 in front of their home team, moved into the final – and won the European crown for the first time.
Now the two giants meet in the quarterfinals – and somehow you get the feeling that winning the tournament is at stake.
Guardiola on Bellingham: Huge influence
As in the previous season, the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid provides the stage for the first act of the spectacle. This time, Real is a “different team,” says City coach Guardiola in advance. This is mainly due to Jude Bellingham, who is playing his first season for the “Blancos”: “His influence is enormous,” said Guardiola.
His counterpart, Carlo Ancelotti, is celebrating a nice anniversary on Tuesday evening. He is the first coach to reach the 200 game mark in the Champions League.
Legend:
Iconic
Carlo Ancelotti is about to play his 200th Champions League game as coach.
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Rüdiger vs. Haaland
He doesn’t think much about the record, his focus is on the opponent. “It will be tough, but if you want to be European champions, you have to beat City,” says Ancelotti.
Coach with the most games in the Champions League
Surname | games |
Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) | 199 |
Alex Ferguson (SCO) | 190 |
Arsene Wenger (FRA) | 178 |
Pep Guardiola (ESP) | 167 |
Jose Mourinho (POR) | 145 |
After defender Antonio Rüdiger was not in the starting line-up in the 0-4 defeat in Manchester in May 2023, the German will be included this time – especially because he is having an outstanding season.
Rüdiger will probably have to deal with concentrated offensive power, including storm tank Erling Haaland. “We always dreamed of games like this,” said the 31-year-old. “To be a part of it is incredible.”