On May 4, 2022, the Santiago Bernabeu stadium witnessed one of the most amazing football events of recent years. Manchester City led Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final with 5-3 on aggregate when the game clock was already ticking in the 90th minute.
However, Real, the most successful club in the Champions League, showed its greatness when Rodrygo scored two goals in the very last moments of the second period, and “Los Blancos” joined me Karim Benzema sank the Manchester team in the follow-up match.
The Premier League’s number one club’s dreams of a first Champions League win fell apart – once again. Pep Guardiola’s the team he piloted has won four English Premier League titles in the last five seasons, but never Europe’s toughest club team tournament.
The team’s only place in the finals is from spring 2021, when Chelsea celebrated the championship.
Sports expert Antti Pohja reckons the events of a year ago will still haunt the minds of City’s players on some level when the teams meet again in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
– The point of this for City is that it won’t happen again. It may have a small psychological effect that it is Real that has done this to them. Of course, Real will draw everything possible from it, says Pohja.
Guardiola says his team is only thinking about the dawn of the night.
– We are not looking for revenge, but an opportunity. What happened is in the past. It would be a great mistake to think that Guardiola said, according to the BBC (You’re switching to another service).
Or now, City?
However, Pohja considers City, who are in strong spirits, to be the early favorites for the pair of matches. The last time the team lost was in February, when Tottenham managed to beat them 1-0 in the Premier League.
– Based on the mood of the spring season, there is a chance this time. When you think about what teams are in the future, the chance is very good. City is one of the best club teams in the world at the moment, if not even the best, says Pohja.
What’s more, City have something they didn’t have a year ago: the attacking colossus who broke the Premier League’s single-season goalscoring record Erling Haaland.
Real Madrid defender Eder Militao will watch Tuesday’s game from the sidelines because his warning account is full. Real will probably set as toppers David Alaban and by Antonio Rüdigerwho will face a tough test when trying to stop Haaland.
The Norwegian jässikka is not only an excellent finisher, but also good at making fast vertical runs. In addition, Haaland has the arrogance and malice required of a goal scorer.
– Many Central Defenders have tried to stop him this season, and no one is very happy to face him. There are so many different qualities with which he can take defenders. Haaland is one of the biggest challenges the central defenders will face in this semi-final.
Haaland is an important piece in City’s dreams of winning the Champions League. However, Pohja emphasizes that in Guardiola’s football, we start from the whole.
– The other phases of the game, in which Haaland is not involved, have also worked very well this spring.
For example, City conceded only one goal in the previous Champions League playoff round against Bayern Munich.
Guardiola believes that the team will win the Champions League.
– One day we will do it. We will reach the final and we will win. That’s our goal for the season.
Real is always Real
Real Madrid’s season in the domestic league has not gone as hoped. The team is only third in La Liga, 14 points behind Barcelona. They have lost two of their last three league games. However, the club that exudes a culture of winning has shown year after year that it is always the number one candidate in the Champions League.
– If they had had a more brilliant season in the domestic series, it would have definitely given them a better starting point for the semi-finals. Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti is still a combination that has shown year after year that in such individual encounters they are certainly capable of going to the finals at their best.
The team’s coaching wizard Ancelotti has won the Champions League four times as a coach, which no one else has been able to do. Ancelotti celebrated with Real in the 2021-2022 and 2013-2014 seasons. The first victories came in AC Milan in 2006–2007 and 2002–2003.
– Ancelotti is very skilled at creating game plans for such matches, where there is 90 or 180 minutes to find a winner, Pohja compares to a longer league season.
Ancelotti praised Haaland during the match. However, he reminded that City is a comprehensive team that plays winning football.
– We are not going to focus on overshadowing Haaland, but on stopping a team that seems unstoppable.
There are solutions from the people of Madrid. Barca is the king of the La Liga goal market Robert Lewandowski with Benzema is a man of big goals. Also, for example, fast Brazilians Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo know how to score.
Milan local
AC Milan and Inter will meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday. The top international clubs of yesteryear have not been successful in Europe in recent years. Inter was number one last time in 2010 and Milan in 2007.
Inter is fourth in Italy’s Serie A and two points behind Milan in fifth. Pohja also anticipates an even battle for the Champions League semi-final series, as the teams know each other well. Huge stakes and the focus on defense familiar to the Italians foreshadow a low-scoring battle.
– Both are playing one of their matches of a decade, and the opponent is a dear enemy. The games will probably be very accurate, but on the other hand, emotions are on the surface. Both of them have decisive power even when they get a place at the top, but I don’t think that either of them will be able to show the kind of dominance that City will go for against Real.
The teams have met twice in the Champions League playoffs. Milan marched on both times (2004–2005 and 2002–2003).
In a tournament like the Champions League, one of the Italian teams can even go all the way.
– It’s about one meeting. Anything can happen, but basically City and Real are the teams that are the best of the rest.
– Tactical chess will certainly be seen from both sides in both matches.
1st legs:
Tue 9.5. Real Madrid – Manchester City
Wed 10.5. AC Milan – Inter
2nd legs:
Tue 16.5. Inter – AC Milan
Wed 17.5. Manchester City – Real Madrid
All matches start at 22:00.