Champions League: Manchester City and “cursed” field for Real Madrid

There are few stadiums in the world where real Madrid I can’t get comfortable. Be the best winner in the history of Champions League -with 14 editions to his credit- is the conclusive proof of how strong he could become on most occasions both at home and as a visitor. However, there are two specific pitches that do not bring back positive memories for Merengue fans. And one of them is the one who will have to leave on Wednesday to go in search of a new European final.

The first of them is San Siro of Milan, where Real Madrid have lost in their first five away matches in the European Cup and drawn in their last two. The legendary Italian camp is the only one that worsens in terms of number of visitors compared to etihad stagethe House of Manchester Citywhere those led by Charles Ancelotti at stake is the pass for the final in Istanbul, the scenario in which Madrid he has never managed to beat the English in four games. Also, the fact of having ahead Pep Guardiola adds extra seasoning.

Both teams are among the best in Europe in recent years. Here’s how the stats show it: nine of their meetings have taken place over four heads-up matches; They have met three times in the semi-finals, and only once in the round of 16 as in the group stage.

And the record shows even greater parity between the two: three wins for each team and three drawsbeing the last played last week at the Santiago Bernabéu for the first leg of the semi-finals of this edition of the Champions League with a 1-1 result that left everything open for the second leg.

Despite that pard, The Madrid side don’t have the best memories of their time at the Etihad. never emerge victorious in his visits, where he has already been eliminated on one occasion from the top continental competition and has been defeated on the last two occasions.

But also Madrid can use the archive to remember the historic matches in their favor against the English. One of them is recent. This is the unforgettable comeback in the last semifinals, with a 5-3 aggregate in favor of citizens as the 90th minute expired at the Santiago Bernabéu, until Brazilian Rodrygo appeared to score two goals in one minute that sent the match into extra time – and there Karim Benzema doomed the streak with a penalty.

Such a hand in hand served to erase from memory the feeling of inferiority suffered in 2020, in the round of 16 marked by the coronavirus pandemic that stopped football and caused more than five months to separate two games. Then, the team led by Zinedine Zidane fell with the same result at the Santiago Bernabéu and at the Etihad (2-1), with no chance of a comeback.

Until then, although Real Madrid had not won in Manchester either, they had dominated the duels and had never been defeated in England. The first meeting between the two teams in the top continental tournament took place on Spanish soil in a group stage. On the first day of the 2012-13 edition, goals by the Brazilians Marcelo, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo served to overturn the game twice after the presence of the Bosnian Edin Dzeko and the Serbian Aleksandar Kolarov (3-2).

Real Madrid’s return and first visit to the Etihad in November 2012 was the closest they came to winning on Manchester soil. Kun Agüero prevented this from a penalty, in the last stretch of the game (1-1), after an opening goal by Benzema.

Three years after the start of an already common match in the last 10 years, in the 2015/2016 season, there was another meeting in the semifinals. In what was the first for City in their international history, losing to Real Madrid in a level playing field tie that was decided by a small detail. On their second visit to the Etihad, Real Madrid’s side drew 0-0 in a serious match that gave way to a tense duel at the Bernabéu. The luck factor decided the second leg when Real Madrid prevailed 1-0 with a goal against the Brazilian Fernando.

The Guardiola effect

With the arrival of Pep Guardiola at City in 2016, the Manchester team reversed their relationship with Real Madrid. They lost just one game (in overtime), won three and drew the rest.

Guardiola always proves to be a little more annoyance for Real Madrid. The Catalan coach made his debut by conquering the Bernabéu in the round of 16 of the Champions League in February 2020, days before the lockdown due to the pandemic. The tie would be resolved five months later with another 2-1 city win, in what marked Real Madrid’s third visit to the Etihad.

The fourth and last visit to date of the black and white team at City left a new defeat for Real Madrid in what was the first leg of the semi-finals of the last edition of the Champions League. It was a 4-3 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side, who will be looking to continue to respect the run they had against Madrid as a local. Whatever result will give them victory this Wednesday will guarantee them passage to what would be the second Champions League final in the history of the English club.

All visits from Madrid to the Etihad stadium

04/26/2022: Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid – 2021/22 Champions League semi-final first leg.

8/7/2020: Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid – Champions League round of 16 second leg 2019/20.

04/26/2016: Manchester City – Real Madrid 0-0 – Champions League semi-final first leg 2015/2016.

11/21/2012: Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid – Champions League group stage 2012-13.

With information from EFE