will be driven by the need for revenge when they kick off their semi-final with at the Bernabeu Stadium.
The leaders are highly unlikely to admit it publicly, of course, but after last year’s stunning capitulation at the same stage of the tournament.
City flew to Spain with a 4-3 advantage and led 1-0 with the final whistle and a place in the final just a few moments away when the rug was pulled from under their feet in devastating fashion.
Rodrygo stunned the visiting supporters with goals in the 90th and 91st minutes and a Karim Benzema winner in extra time completed a stunning fightback.
City were eliminated and Real marched into the showpiece decider where they beat Liverpool to lift Europe’s most coveted club silverware for the fifth time in nine years.
Real live for the Champions League and, after – winning 5-2 before completing the job in the Spanish capital – they saw off .
However, it looks like City have peaked at the right time. Since losing 1-0 at Tottenham on February 10, they are unbeaten in 20 matches, with 17 wins and three draws to their credit.
That’s left them in pole position to retain their league title while they have booked an FA Cup final against Manchester United as .
Real Madrid are also in fine fettle as after losing 1-0 at Mallorca on February 5 they have played 22 times, winning 15 – including Saturday’s Copa Del Rey final success against Osasuna – while drawing two and losing five.
and are 3/1 with bet365 to win a match in which both teams score.
with his 52nd goal of an unbelievable season and Vinicius Jr is 10/3 with Bet Victor to hit the net at any time. A 2-1 City victory is 17/2 with William Hill.
• Mawj, our 12/1 winning tip for Sunday’s 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, is now worth backing each-way at 20/1 with Unibet for the Oaks at Epsom at the start of next month.
• Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin is 7/1 with Betway for the Derby at Epsom despite a bumpy ride in Saturday’s 2000 Guineas.
