Man City vs Real Madrid LIVE: Latest Champions League updates

Madrid have won both previous contests between the teams on their way to claiming the trophy.

They beat City 1-0 on aggregate in 2015/16 and edged through a spectacular tie 6-5 on aggregate after extra time 12 months ago.

As part of his press duties, Modric also touched on Real Madrid’s historic success in the Champions League.

“Every match is a different story and you never know what can happen on the pitch,” he said, “You have to stay focused in every game, on every ball, and help your teammates. I think we’re going to rise to the challenge and make it to another final.

“We always feel comfortable in this type of match. We know that we always perform at our best in the Champions League and it’s a competition that we like a lot. We feel pretty comfortable playing these kinds of games. That’s why we’ve won the Champions League so many times, because we have belief in ourselves and we have confidence in our ability. We always give our best.

“All the trophies we’ve won say a lot about our efforts and behaviour on a daily basis, whether we in or not. What we do and how we handle ourselves in situations where we don’t win is also significant. Trophies give us something to be happy about and to be proud of what we have achieved. It’s also something to commend for the way in which we have achieved them. We’re delighted with everything we’ve done here.”

Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, answered questions in the pre-match press conference and spoke about how he and his teammates are feeling ahead of tonight’s match.

“We’re feeling great.” he said, “We have to enjoy this moment we’re experiencing because our record of reaching so many semi-finals and finals is impressive. We’re really looking forward to the game.

“We’ve played this type of match plenty of times and I can see the confidence, calmness and belief in my teammates and the coach. That’s what I see every day and what I see today. I hope we perform well and go through to the final, that would be incredible.”

The atmosphere is ramping up at the Etihad Stadium. This will hopefully be a brilliant clash between two European heavyweights.

City host Real Madrid in the second leg of the semi-final after drawing 1-1 in the Bernabeu last week, still looking for a first European trophy since their 2008 takeover.

Owner Sheikh Mansour has invested around £1.5 billion in the club in the last 15 years and Walker, one of a host of expensive signings, feels City can still be overshadowed by their neighbours Manchester United until they emulate them by becoming champions of Europe.

The game will be settled on the pitch but there is no doubting that the managers are big factors in the occasion. Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti are two of the most experienced and successful in the game.

Guardiola won the Champions League twice with Barcelona but has continually fallen short with City – the 2021 final being the closest he has come – with suggestions he has often ‘overthought’ things tactically after surprise losses to the likes of Monaco, Tottenham and Lyon.

Ancelotti has won the competition four times, twice each with AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Man City have played down the revenge aspect of the encounter, but last year’s loss to Real at the same stage did hurt, and they would undoubtedly love to get them back.

However, this time the second leg is at home, where they have already proved they can overcome the Spanish giants. They beat them 4-3 in the semi-final first leg last year and 2-1 in the 2020 quarter-finals.

For the start of the game at least, City would appear to have little reason to deviate from the approach which served them well last week. They played patiently and the chances eventually came. With the talent they have on the field, they should be confident enough to take their opportunities.

Yet there were options on the bench last week which could make a difference if Real continue to frustrate. Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez have all shone at different times this season and could give the hosts extra thrust.

Real may also stick to the same tactic of soaking up pressure and looking to counter quickly. They even have Eder Militao back from suspension to bolster the rearguard.

Both sides will need to be wary of each other’s attacking weapons. For City the partnership between the prolific Erling Haaland and the irrepressible Kevin De Bruyne is key. When the pair are in tune – and they often are – few can handle them.

With the likes of Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva adding to the supply lines, there is little opportunity to switch off when playing them.

Yet Real boast a fearsome front line themselves in Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and the exciting young Brazilian talents of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior.

The tie is evenly poised after last week’s 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu. Man City proved they can dominate in terms of possession but Real were sharp on the counter.

Home advantage favours City but Real’s pedigree and history, with 14 European titles to their name, often comes to the fore. These aspects could cancel each other out, leaving neither side with a distinct edge over the other.

The outcome is in the balance and could go either way.