CHRIS SUTTON picks out Man City versus Real Madrid key battles

Battles of the Big Beasts! Rudiger’s bid to tame free-scoring Haaland AGAIN and Grealish’s spicy duel with Carvajal – Mail Sport’s CHRIS SUTTON picks out three key battles he can’t wait to see as Man City host Real Madrid

  • Man City host Real Madrid for the Champions League semi-final second leg 
  • The match is finely poised and finds itself littered with fascinating match-ups  
  • CHRIS SUTTON’S PLAYER RATINGS: Our columnist’s verdict from the first leg 

Manchester City’s blockbuster Champions League semi-final match-up with Real Madrid is ready for its second act with the tie finely poised. 

Round one in Spain was enthralling viewing where City came from behind thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s goal to head home to Manchester with the tie balancing at 1-1.

Now the second leg has come around and defending champions Real Madrid have been warned by their boss Carlo Ancelotti that they must be prepared to ‘suffer’ in pursuit of another final appearance. 

For all the quality on show, an the individual brilliance that brings, there are a number of fascinating match-ups which could dictate who is in Istanbul for this season’s Champions League finale.  

Here, Mail Sport’s CHRIS SUTTON picks out three key battles he is eager to see a second instalment of… 

The pace battle of Kyle Walker (left) and Vinicius Jnr (right) is a fascinating one to watch

Erling Haaland v Antonio Rudiger

Whatever deodorant Haaland had on last week, it was all over Rudiger’s hair by the end. 

All game, he was poking his head out from under Haaland’s arms, staying close to the City striker while tracking the ball. It was a battle Rudiger won. 

I only awarded Haaland five out of 10 in my player ratings… but the beast is rarely tamed twice in a row.

Antonio Rudiger (left) won the battle with Erling Haaland (right) last week but must repeat trick

Kyle Walker v Vinicius Junior

Last week’s clash was a draw on the judges’ scorecards. 

Walker did a good job handling one of the best wingers in the world, but you can’t switch off for one moment with players of Vinicius’s calibre. And that’s not to say Walker was to blame for the goal. 

When defenders are up against top-class attackers, you really find out what they’re made of.  

If Walker can keep the Samba star quiet on Wednesday night, City have a good chance of going through.

Jack Grealish v Dani Carvajal

This spicy battle was at its most heated when Carvajal pretended Grealish had whacked him as they had a cuddle. 

Both must make sure they don’t do anything to risk a red card. 

Grealish has that side to him under control, but I’m not sure about Carvajal! 

He is an uncompromising player and after last week’s duel Grealish admitted he had cramp in his calves for the first time.

Both Jack Grealish (right) and Dani Carvajal (left) need to keep tempers in check to avoid a red


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