Thirteen time Champions League winners, Real Madrid host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
Zinedine Zidane’s men finished second in their group, behind Paris Saint Germain, while Manchester City topped their group. Both teams will be looking to gain an advantage in the first leg and have an upper hand in the tie.
Manchester City have struggled defensively this season, after not being able to sign a replacement for their former captain, Vincent Kompany. This meant that Aymeric Laporte had to lead the defensive line. However, an injury meant that Laporte was out for a major part of the season. But with his return, the morale in the City dressing room would have surely been boosted.
The 25 year old is one of the centre backs who Pep Guardiola can trust. He hasn’t played in this season’s Champions League yet and has only made seven appearances in the Premier League, having five clean sheets to his name. The Frenchman is great at passing the ball and is an indirect set piece threat, meaning he possesses the ability to score goals. These traits make him a trustworthy player for Pep.
With likes of Karim Benzema to mark, someone who is good with his positioning off the ball and loos for space with the ball. The tactical side of Aymeric comes into play here as the Frenchman possess capabilities to block him getting into good positions vis-a-vis also help pressure him to block Benzema to find any space further up.
And on the other hand is Real Madrid’s commander-in-chief, Sergio Ramos – someone who is rated best in the business by masses. The Spaniard has been the first choice centre back for Madrid for many seasons in the past. Zinedine Zidane puts a lot of onus on Ramos. The 33 year old has inspired his side to Champions League titles many times in the past, and Zidane would be hoping that he could do it again this season.
Ramos has played 4 Champions League matches this season, keeping 2 clean sheets. He has also scored 5 goals in 23 appearances in the Spanish League. Like Laporte, Ramos is also a good passer of the ball, and is very physical. Apart from his defensive abilities, Ramos is Madrid’s first choice penalty taker, and is also a great threat from corners. His immense experience makes his Zidane’s go to man.
Ramos experience could keep Aguero from capitalizing in the final third, but also Ramos’ keeness to play further up the pitch could back fire with likes of Aguero, De Bruyne, Mahrez on counters.
Such Champions League matches always prove to be exciting, but with the likes of Ramos and Laporte in both teams’ defensive lines, its going to be a tough task for the attackers to go past them and find the back of the net.
But it’s a big night in Madrid and side from Manchester would certainly need to step upas two of this season’s favorites rub shoulders.
