(Football news) The 2021/22 UEFA Champions League has reached its semi final stage. 2 Spanish teams i.e Real Madrid and Villarreal will be taking on two English teams i.e Manchester City and Liverpool. Real Madrid vs Manchester City will be the replay of the 2020 Round of 16 fixture which Manchester City won. The situation is completely different now as Real Madrid is a much better team but City have also gotten better with much more UCL experience.

Real Madrid were knocked out by Chelsea in the semi finals last season. This time around they topped their UCL group before being pitted against PSG in the round of 16. After being 2-0 down with 45 minutes to go, Karim Benzema's hat-trick marked a sensational comeback at the Bernabéu. In the quarter finals, Los Blancos beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge thanks to another Karim Benzema hat-trick. In the return leg they were 3-0 down and 10 minutes away from elimination but goals from Rodrygo and later from Benzema in extra time got them through to the semis. Now after redemption against Chelsea, Madrid look for redemption against Manchester City.

Manchester City lost last season's UCL final to Chelsea by 1-0. This season they once again finished top of their group ahead of PSG. In the Round of 16, City won 5-0 away at Sporting CP after which a goalless draw in the return fixture was enough. The blues played a very physically demanding game against Atletico Madrid which they won 1-0 on aggregate. Manchester City are in the middle of a very intense title race in the Premier League while Real Madrid are just 1 point away from securing the La Liga title. Los Blancos can afford to rest players in League games whereas City don't have that luxury.

Real Madrid have a few fitness issues as David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Casemiro are doubtful for the game. According to reports and Carlo Ancelotti's press conference, Alaba and Mendy should be fit enough to start while Casemiro, despite being named in the squad, is not fit to play. The Brazilian's absence means that Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde are guaranteed to start. The only question is whether Ancelotti goes for Eduardo Camavinga in midfield with Valverde on the wing or Rodrygo on the wing with the Uruguayan in midfield. The rest of the starting XI picks itself. Karim Benzema has 12 goals in the UCL this season and has scored in the last 3 fixtures. 

Manchester City are also in a bit of a pickle as Joao Cancelo is suspended for the game. Kyle Walker and John Stones are major doubts for the game which means that City are out of right back options while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nathan Ake are the left back options. Guardiola will be hoping to use a fully fit Walker as there isn't a better player in the world to deal with Vinicius Jr. Gabriel Jesus, after his 4 goals and 1 assist against Watford at the weekend has made a good case for him to start this game. Kevin De Bruyne had an incredible game the last time Madrid came to the Etihad and he will be looking to replicate it. 

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