Author: Soorya G
After none of the first legs of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals were able to deliver a decisive verdict, the teams’ focus now shifts to the return leg, which will be held just a week after the first leg battles. Defending champions Real Madrid will travel to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, home of Pep Guardiola’s City, in the hope of reaching yet another final of the world’s most coveted club competition. Madrid and City are currently inseparable after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Bernabéu. After taking the lead in the first leg through Brazilian star Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid were unable to hold on to it thanks to a thunderous goal from Belgian maestro Kevin de Bruyne. No strangers to a tough battle, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be ready for a big battle in Manchester in a week’s time.
Real Madrid would have been particularly impressed with the performances of Vinicius Jr. and Eduardo Camavinga, who were undoubtedly the two best players on the pitch in the Spanish capital. Camavinga’s performance was particularly notable due to the fact that the Frenchman played at left-back instead of his usual midfield role. City will be concerned that their rivals managed to close down Erling Haaland for most of the game, as the Norwegian was the player who touched the ball the least out of all the players on the pitch who played 90 minutes. The reigning Premier League champions will be hoping that their main striker has much more influence on Wednesday. However, the performances of Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and captain Ilkay Gundogan will give them plenty of confidence for the second leg.
Team News
After a competitive first leg, it’s likely that neither manager will change the team, and a similar starting line-up is expected, barring any injuries.
Man City: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Walker; Rodri, Stones; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland;
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Rodrygo, Vini Jr., Benzema;
Key players
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson will be crucial to Manchester City’s fortunes. The goalkeeper will be essential to your team’s build-up play, and a clean sheet can go a long way to getting your team to the final.
Rodrygo was the hero of the previous meeting between the two teams, scoring two crucial goals in the final moments. His ability to excel on a big stage will be just what the doctor ordered at the Etihad.
Forecasts:
City to be crossed
Guardiola’s side have been playing their best soccer in recent months and, after facing the Santiago Bernabéu, they are expected to go through.
Haaland scores
The center-forward wants to make his presence felt, and a half-chance is enough, given the Norwegian’s quality.
Modric shines
The midfield magician has been at the heart of Real Madrid’s creative sequences, and the 37-year-old may have to step forward again.
Inter were dominant in their 2-0 win over rivals AC Milan in the first leg of the semi-final. The Inter Milan team bombarded the Milan goal with a flurry of shots from long range and close range. However, they only managed to score twice, with Bosnian stalwart Edin Dzeko and former Dortmund veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who scored both goals in ten minutes, setting the tone for the contest. Simone Inzaghi’s men, however, failed to take advantage of most of the chances they had, in which case the scoreline would have been much more emphatic. A combination of bad luck and some below-par finishing ensured that the score remained 2-0, keeping the door open for a possible comeback by the Rossoneri. Former AC Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu saw a couple of close-range attempts miss the target, including a fierce shot that hit the underside of Maignan’s crossbar.
Coach Stefano Pioli wants to add a Champions League to his CV with the seven-time winners and must have made plans for a possible comeback in the second leg. Players like Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud looked off the pace in the first leg, and the fact that Milan’s defense was being repeatedly unblocked by a few simple passes didn’t work in their favor. Milan will be looking to plug the holes in their defense and mount a comeback against their rivals on the other side of town.
Team News
Although neither coach is expected to change his line-up, Milan may be forced to make some changes as Leao and Bennacer have suffered minor injuries. The pair will not take part in the match against Spezia on Sunday, but could be involved on Tuesday.
Inter: Onana; Acerbi, Bastoni, Darmian; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Dzeko;
Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Bennacer, Krunic, Tonali; Diaz, Leão, Giroud;
Key players
Edin Dzeko will be instrumental in determining whether or not his team reaches the final. Considering that Inter Milan have a wealth of talent on the creative side of the game, it will be up to Dzeko to take advantage of these chances and ensure that his team reaches the summit clash.
Rafael Leão will be the most important player from Milan’s point of view. The winger has the ability to change the game with ease and could well turn around his team’s two-goal deficit.
Forecasts:
Inter will win
Simone Inzaghi’s side were much better than the two Milan teams in the first leg, and all the signs point to an Inter victory.
Calhanoglu scores
The Turkish star was excellent in the first leg and came very close to scoring on more than one occasion. He could be responsible for ending his former team’s hopes.
Giroud will score
The Frenchman is considered one of the best strikers of his generation and a player with unparalleled technical ability. He could be responsible for keeping his team in Tuesday’s game.