Real Madrid have made a request to UEFA to play their Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie against Manchester City under a closed roof at the Santiago Bernabeu. This request is aimed at boosting the atmosphere for the highly-anticipated match between the two European giants.
City and Madrid have faced each other in the Champions League for the last two seasons. City won their first Champions League title last season and will be looking to continue their success in the competition. The Spanish giants have been dominant in Europe for decades and will be keen on making a statement against the Premier League side.
City go into the game without the services of right-back Kyle Walker, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Walker played a crucial role in City’s victory over Madrid in the last season’s semifinal, and his absence will be felt by Guardiola’s side. City will need to find a way to nullify the attacking threat of Madrid without one of their key players in defense.
Guardiola and Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti have had contrasting views on their previous encounters. Guardiola believes that City’s victory over Madrid was a result of their own strengths, while Ancelotti has acknowledged that his side lacked personality in their performance. Both managers are aware of the importance of the upcoming match and will be looking to make the necessary adjustments to come out on top.
Guardiola has described the upcoming game as a “classic” between the two sides. Despite facing each other in the past, Guardiola believes that this encounter will be different due to the changes in both squads. City will have the advantage of playing the second leg at home, but Guardiola is aware of the challenges that come with playing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Guardiola has emphasized the importance of City’s attacking prowess in the upcoming game. He believes that City cannot afford to sit back and defend against Madrid, but instead, they need to be aggressive and look to score goals. Guardiola’s tactics will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match and whether City can come away with a positive result against the Spanish giants.
The decision to play under a closed roof at the Santiago Bernabeu will add an extra element of excitement to the Champions League quarterfinal clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City. Both teams will be looking to make a statement and secure an advantage in the first leg of the tie. Guardiola’s tactics and the absence of Kyle Walker will be important factors in determining the outcome of the match.
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