Real Madrid vs Manchester City 08/08/20

08 August 2020

Real Madrid travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City, looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

Manchester City cruised through to the knockout stage, finishing top of Group C (W4, D2), with a seven-point cushion over second-placed Atalanta and a +12 goal difference (GF:16, GA:4). At home, the ‘Sky Blues’ have won two of three matches in the group stage (D1), both via at least a two-goal margin, to bring an unbeaten home run in the Champions League to seven games (W6, D1). Despite winning both of their previous home fixtures in the Champions League knockout stages, the Premier League giants’ overall home record in the competition’s knockout rounds stands at W4, D2, L4. Moreover, Manchester City have won only one of their five UEFA two-legged ties versus the Spanish opponents, but none of the last four. However, Pep Guardiola can take confidence from the fact City have won all ten of their previous two-legged ties in which they won the first leg on the road.

As for the visitors, they finished runners-up to PSG in Group A (W3, D2, L1), winning two of their three road trips during the group stage (L1). In turn, Los Blancos have picked up 16 wins from their last 25 continental trips (D4, L5) and were victorious in three of their previous six visits to England (D2, L1). Moreover, reigning La Liga champions have won 66.67% (eight) of their 12 UEFA two-legged ties against the English sides prior to this one, including the last three. Another encouraging sign for the traveling fans is that Los Merengues have netted over 1.5 goals in four of their previous six Champions League trips. But, Zinedine Zidane has to worry about the fact Real Madrid have turned their UEFA ties around after losing the first leg at home only once in six such contests.