Haaland boosts Man City’s attack in survival fight against Real Madrid

It will be a do-or-die affair when Manchester City travel to Madrid to meet Real in a clash they must win to survive. Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg at the Etihad and need only a draw to knock the English champions out of the 2024/25 Champions League title race.

Already, City manager, Pep Guardiola, has given Carlo Ancellotti the first step by saying that his team has only a slim chance of turning the table in Madrid. However, old fox, Ancellotti, who is one of the most successful managers in the game, is not taken by such “psychological,” gimmicks. He believes Man City is as dangerous as the team that knocked them out of the race two seasons ago, and therefore, has told his players to be ready for a battle of their lives.

Manchester City has been given a boost by the news that star striker, Erling Haaland is fit to play. Haaland suffered an injury scare during his side’s Premier League triumph over Newcastle United. However, Guardiola is optimistic that the striker will be fit to play at the Bernabeu.

“When he was down, everyone was scared,” said Guardiola. “He got up and walked smiling like always. I didn’t speak to him, but the doctors didn’t come for bad news. Hopefully (he will be fine for Madrid).”

Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez, and David Alaba could miss the crucial second leg against Manchester City. They are all doubts about the match, but it is highly unlikely that Dani Carvajal will feature due to a knee injury. He is joined on Madrid’s injury list by fellow defender Eder Militao.

Juventus won the first leg of their tie with PSV 2-1 in Eindhoven and are expected to wrap up the tie today in Turin. But like most other teams, they have their injury worries with Douglas Luiz a