Rafa Benitez explains why Man City ‘will be worried’ about Real Madrid in Champions League second leg

Former Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez says Manchester City will be concerned about Los Blancos’ fearlessness at the Etihad in their Champions League semi-final second-leg tie, despite being away from home.

The two clubs are locked level after last week’s 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu. The Blues are still on for the treble with the Premier League title theirs if they beat Chelsea on Sunday.

An FA Cup final with Manchester United also awaits but first, they hope to keep their triple-crown hopes intact with a win over Real on Wednesday. Benitez says City will be the favourites going into the second leg.

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However, the former Madrid boss - who managed the club between 2015 and 2016 - says the hosts will be fearful of the approach their opponents take. Speaking to Sky Sports, Benitez said: “I think Manchester City are, a little bit, the favourites because they play at home, they have possession, they have a lot of confidence.

“But at the same time, they will be worried about Real Madrid and their experience. Real Madrid is not a team that will be worried about the atmosphere.

“They know what they have to do - making sure they can keep the ball, avoid the first pressing when Manchester City give the ball away, avoid this first line of pressing and then try to use the counter-attack.”

Eduardo Camavinga travelled to Manchester despite picking up an injury complaint in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Getafe. Speaking after the match, Carlo Ancelotti said: “He suffered a knock to his knee, but it’s 100 per cent stable. It’s nothing.

“It was just a knock and he’ll recover well. He should be fine [to play in Manchester]. I think we’ll have the entire squad available