Madrid –
Spain’s former top player Javi Martinez look forward to Manchester City qualify for the final Liga Champions. Even so, Real Madrid look good at home.
City have the upper hand after beating Madrid 4-3 in the semi-final first leg at the Etihad in midweek. In that match the Citizens had a two-goal lead after scoring early goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus before Karim Benzema scored a goal back to make up for Los Blancos.
After halftime, Phil Foden increased Man City’s lead but Madrid once again restored the distance to one goal after Vinicius Junior beat Ederson. Bernardo Silva scored the home side’s fourth goal before Madrid made sure they lost by just one goal after Benzema converted a penalty.
With superior aggregate, Manchester City indeed in pole position for the second successive Champions League final. Because Pep Guardiola’s troops only need a minimum of a draw in the second leg. On the other hand, Madrid must beat their opponent by a difference of at least two goals to qualify.
So far Real Madrid yet look impressive at the Santiago Bernabeu. The whites twice ensured qualification in the knockout stages by beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the last 16 (3-2 on aggregate) then chasing a three-goal deficit against Chelsea before losing 2-3. The defeat was enough to bring Madrid forward after winning 3-1 in London (5-4 aggregate).
Javi Martinez, who won the treble together Bayern Munich in 2012 and 2020, also predicting another semifinal between Villarreal vs Liverpool. Martinez has no doubt Liverpool will go into the final following a dominant 2-0 win at Anfield.
“I saw Madrid and City attack very well and defend badly. Madrid, if you want to qualify, have to improve,” Martinez told reporters. The spar, reported AS.
“If I had to judge, I guess City will pass but what is faced is Madrid and the Bernabeu. Meanwhile, Liverpool are too superior in other games,” he concluded.
(rin/krs)
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