Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City Replay: UCL 2022-23

10:30 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Real Madrid vs Manchester City match in the UEFA Champions League 2022-23. The kick-off is just two hours away! I’m your host Aryan, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

The Kings of Europe as they call themselves come into the biggest game of their season off a successful Copa Del Rey campaign, and becoming Champions for the 20th time in their history, by beating Osasuna 2-1 in the final on Saturday. Now, standing in their way are English Champions and nearly unstoppable Manchester City  led by Pep Guardiola whose men have won ten games consecutively before arriving in Madrid for this crucial semifinal tie. With a wait of nearly two weeks coming to fruition, the most anticipated match-up of this year’s semi-final is upon the football fans across the globe.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men will look to capitalise on their home advantage in the first leg and take a lead to the Etihad Stadium in the 2nd leg next week. With the likes of Luka Modric and Rudiger rested in the Copa Del Rey final, Real Madrid will be hoping to field their best eleven and be on the front foot in the first leg.

Manchester City will travel to face a buoyant Real Madrid side whose confidence will be incredibly high from the Cup victory. Pep’s men fell to a heartbreak loss 3-1 loss in the 2nd leg away and 6-5 on aggregate to this Real side in last year’s semifinals, and will look to exact revenge this time around. They’re travelling to Madrid on a streak of ten consecutive wins and will be confident to take a positive result home in the 2nd leg. With a comfortable four-point lead in the Premier League summit, their biggest challenge towards achieving a treble might be beating this Real side in the UCL.

Player to watch

Real Madrid: Vinicius Jr.

The Brazilian has continued his great form late into the season and has always delivered when the stakes are the highest. Coming off an impressive performance in the Copa Del Rey where he was impossible to mark, and used his speed, trickery and athleticism to near perfection. He had an assist against Osasuna in the cup final and also completed the most dribbles and won the most individual duels. He’ll be the main threat on Tuesday evening.

Manchester City: Erling Haaland

Very few superlatives can add to the season Erling Haaland is having this year. Had it not been for Lionel Messi’s World Cup run, he’d be the clear favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in 2023. He might still end up winning given how many records he’s broken including the highest Premier League goalscoring record very recently. He’s also the top scorer in the Champions League and was bought to deliver in these big matches. He’ll have to be the main man for City upfront and add to his devastating goal tally, against the defending champions.

Match facts

• Real Madrid and Manchester City haven’t drawn against each other in the last six fixtures.
• Real Madrid are unbeaten at home in the last four matches.
• City are unbeaten in their last nine away matches and unbeaten in 20 matches.

Injury and team news

For Real Madrid, left-back Mendy is the only confirmed absence for the final. Everyone else will make it in time to pass the fitness test.

For Manchester City, centre back Ake might be a fitness doubt after injuring himself yet again against Leeds in the Premier League this weekend.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches: 10

Real Madrid: 4

Manchester City: 4

Draws: 2

Predicted lineups

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Camavinga; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Manchester City predicted lineup (3-2-4-1):

Ederson; Akanji, Rúben Dias, Aké; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gündoğan, Grealish; Haaland