Manchester City’s Champions League campaign is hanging by a thread, and a defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday would not only eliminate them from the competition but also set an unwanted record for Pep Guardiola.
City’s Woeful Record of Conceding Leads
Manchester City has lost three Champions League matches this season after taking a 1-0 lead, and a fourth consecutive collapse would be a first in the competition’s history.
The Citizens’ inability to hold onto leads has been a recurring theme, with losses to Sporting Lisbon, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid already this campaign.
Do Manchester City Have Any Hope?
Despite the odds being stacked against them, Manchester City can take heart from their performance in the first leg.
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The Citizens were arguably the better team for large periods, exploiting Real Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities and creating scoring opportunities.
Tactical Changes on the Cards
However, the absence of Manuel Akanji due to injury may force Guardiola into making tactical changes.
The City boss may opt to push for a goal, but this could leave them exposed to Real Madrid’s counter-attacks.
The Spanish giants have only failed to score in one of their last 78 UEFA Champions League home games, making them a formidable opponent.
New Signing Nico Gonzalez Offers Hope
One bright spot for Manchester City is the emergence of new signing Nico Gonzalez.
The midfielder impressed in the 4-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday, earning praise from Guardiola, who likened him to a “mini Rodri.
” However, asking Gonzalez to replicate his performance against Real Madrid may be a tall order, given his limited experience in the City squad.
