Real Madrid have made it a habit of staging stunning comebacks in the Champions League this season. And Carlo Ancelotti's team will be hoping for an encore when they take on Manchester City in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday, hoping to overturn a 4-3 deficit at home.
Real, recently crowned La Liga champions, had to rally against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 and then again against defending champions Chelsea in the quarter-finals. The Spanish giants need another magical night against City to return to the final for the first time since won the last of their 13 European Cups in 2018.
In the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, Real trailed by two goals three times but fought back to keep the contest against Pep Guardiola's City alive.
Star striker Karim Benzema scored twice to take his tally for the season to 41 goals in as many games. And he will be entrusted with taking Madrid across the finish line again on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be difficult, but it’s a great opportunity for us after winning the league title,” Ancelotti said. “There’s a really good vibe within the squad and we are capable of doing it.”
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Manchester City's defender Kyle Walker takes part in a training session on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, ahead of the team's Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid. AFP -
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne during a training session at the City Football Academy on Tuesday. PA -
Kyle Walker during a training session at the City Football Academy in Manchester. PA -
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus during training for the clash against Real Madrid. Reuters -
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne during training on Tuesday. Reuters -
Pep Guardiola oversees Manchester City training session on Tuesday. AFP -
Kevin De Bruyne during training. Reuters -
Raheem Sterling during training on Tuesday. Reuters -
ack Grealish and Raheem Sterling train on Tuesday. Reuters -
Kyle Walker returned to training following injury. Reuters -
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne during training. Reuters -
Ilkay Gundogan trains in Manchester. Reuters -
Manchester City's Fernandinho during training. Reuters -
Manchester City's Dutch defender Nathan Ake takes part in a training session. AFP -
Manchester City's midfielder Riyad Mahrez takes part in a training session. AFP -
Jack Grealish during a training session at the City Football Academy in Manchester. Getty -
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva during training at the City Football Academy. PA -
Riyad Mahrez takes part in a training session in Manchester. AFP -
Manchester City's Phil Foden during training. Reuters -
Manchester City's midfielder Jack Grealish takes part in a training session for the clash against Real Madrid. AFP -
Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish train on Tuesday. AFP -
Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva have a laugh during training. AFP -
Rodrigo during training. Getty
What could work against the Spanish side is the fact that the match comes four days after Real celebrated winning the La Liga crown.
Madrid beat Espanyol 4-0 on Saturday and the players celebrated at Plaza Cibeles after an open-top bus tour.
There are concerns about fatigue and a possible loss of desperation for a title. But Ancelotti insists Real are motivated to make it to the final.
“A celebration is good for the mental side of things,” Ancelotti said. “We are professionals. We all celebrate together. Wednesday we have another important match. If during the celebrations someone cuts their foot or a leg, OK, but that won't happen.”
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Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring the first goal of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. City won the match 4-3 in an incredible contest. PA -
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring the first goal after just two minutes. AFP -
Kevin de Bruyne heads Manchester City in front. Getty -
Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal after 11 minutes. Getty -
Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates with Kevin de Bruyne. AFP -
Gabriel Jesus celebrates his goal. AFP -
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus scores the second goal. PA -
Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring the second goal. AFP -
Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal. Reuters -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema pulls a goal back for the Spanish giants. AP -
Karim Benzema celebrates his goal. AFP -
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and City's Pep Guardiola greet each other before kick-off. Getty -
Phil Foden celebrates scoring City's third goal. PA -
Foden makes it 3-1 to City. Action Images -
Manchester City's Ederson throws a flare off the pitch after Phil Foden scored their third goal. Action Images -
Vinicius Junior scores Real's second goal to make it 3-2. Getty -
Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring. PA -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring their second goal. Action Images -
City's Bernardo Silva scores their fourth goal. Action Images -
Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring the fourth goal. PA -
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema scores their third goal with a penalty. PA -
Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring Real's third goal from the penalty spot, to make it 4-3 after the first leg. Getty -
Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola shake hands after the match. EPA
