Man City's 'Prime Zidane' could be not-so-secret weapon vs Real Madrid in legacy-defining week

Pep Guardiola insisted he would 'sign right now' for a repeat of last season's 4-3 home win over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg, as Manchester City prepare to welcome Madrid to the Etihad in this year's semi-final second leg.

With a 1-1 draw earned at the Bernabeu, City will be confident of edging Madrid on their own turf, and he has reason to be confident given City's home record in the Champions League of 23 wins and two draws from their last 25 European games at the Etihad.

City have won seven of their last 12 second-leg games, and progressed to the next round on nine occasions. The only record that will need improving is Guardiola's one second-leg progression from three when City have been behind or level from the first leg - although they did win at home to Tottenham in 2018 before exiting on away goals.

ALSO READ: City squad vs Real Madrid confirmed after Guardiola gives Ake injury update

The manager insists he won't overthink his team selection or tactics on Wednesday, but he also suggested he has an idea for how City can be more fluent to get Erling Haaland involved more. He told City players more than once that they must play better than the first leg to get to the final - so how can they do that?

On the one hand, the team selection seems fairly cemented. John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva were all rested on Sunday, while Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland came off late on. That could hint at the same midfield and attack that started in the Bernabeu, and are yet to lose this season when they do start.

However, could Phil Foden or Riyad Mahrez add some of that fluency to the attack and help get that supply to Haaland that Guardiola and his players