5 talking points as Manchester City take on Real Madrid in second leg

The Champions League last-16 tie was originally scheduled to be completed in March.

Published Aug 5, 2020

Manchester City finally take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium on Friday, a match postponed from March.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some talking points ahead of the game.

Tie in the balance

City have enjoyed some big wins since the season resumed (Michael Regan/NMC Pool)

City with point to prove

City were facing a two-year ban from the Champions League (Martin Rickett/PA)

Winning without Messi and Ronaldo

Pep Guardiola (left) and Zinedine Zidane (right) have won five Champions Leagues between them as managers (Nick Potts/PA)

Absentees

Sergio Aguero will be missing for City (Martin Rickett/NMC Pool)

Key factors

Kevin De Bruyne, who scored and set up City’s other goal in the first leg, will be the man Real fear most after an outstanding season. Raheem Sterling, who appeared to be attracting interest from Real earlier in the year, is another potential dangerman. City will want to shut down the supply lines to Karim Benzema, who has flourished since Ronaldo’s departure and has scored 26 goals this season. In terms of external factors, Real can call on plenty of big-game experience having won the competition four times in the past six seasons. With the game also being played behind closed doors, City will have no fans to back them. City might at least feel in better touch having last played a fortnight ago compared to three weeks for Real.