Shaka Hislop has highlighted one Real Madrid player he thinks will be a big problem for Manchester City in tonight’s Champions League clash.
In their first-leg quarter-final match, the Citizens are in action at the Santiago Bernabeu to take on Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who they beat in the semi-finals last season with an aggregate score of 5-1.
Looking ahead to this latest showdown between the two clubs, one pundit has pinpointed one figure in the Real team that he thinks could be a big problem for the Blues to deal with on this occasion.
Hislop says one Real Madrid player could be a big issue for Man City
Speaking in a recent video shared on the ESPN FC YouTube channel, Hislop had this to say on the matter.
He said: “The best football clubs in Europe, if not the world, facing off. You can make an argument for almost anyone left in the last eight deserving to be in the final and it will be a good final regardless of who those clubs may be.
“But for this one, I think there’s so much at stake because of the history, because of last season, in particular. And yes, while you could absolutely make the argument that Real Madrid are better 12 months on, without Karim Benzema they may be a little bit more unpredictable, I think without question Man City themselves have regressed.
“But Pep Guardiola will come into this one with a plan and albeit in years gone by, the plan around Vinicius Jr has involved Kyle Walker to a significant degree, he’s not available for the first leg.
“I think the pressure comes from Real Madrid in what we saw last season, feeling like they have to win this tie at the Bernabeu, given the turnaround at the Etihad, and with that brings additional pressure. Not just win, you’ve got to give yourself a couple of goals to defend.
“Tactically, I expect there to be a plan to deal with Bellingham, I’m just not sure what Man City have to cope with Vinicius and his pace.”
Man City will have to be wary
This season has seen the winger, who joined the Spanish club back in 2017 for £38m, make 28 appearances for Real across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and delivering eight assists in the process.
Three of those goals and three of those assists have come across the five Champions League games he’s featured in.
Despite only featuring in five Champions League games, the Brazilian has still managed to make more carries into the penalty area (25) and successful take-ons (18) than any other player at the Spanish club, showcasing how much of a dangerous player he is around the opposition box.
Bearing in mind how the away side will be without Walker, who earned praise for his defensive efforts against Vinicius the last time the two sides met, through injury for tonight’s game, it’s easy to see why Hislop thinks this could make the Real winger an even more dangerous proposition for the Blues to have to deal with.
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