Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has talked up Erling Haaland ahead of tonight’s huge Champions League semi-final, but has warned his side will be out to contain all of Manchester City’s threats, not just the striker.
It’s the first leg at the Bernabeu tonight, and City are the form team and favourites heading in.
Pep Guardiola is pretty much able to pick whoever, aside from Nathan Ake who unfortunately hasn’t travelled.
The Dutchman went off injured in the 2-1 win over Leeds United and is ruled out of tonight’s game.
It is likely Manuel Akanji will play on the left to cover for Ake. He did a sterling job there against Arsenal recently.
Tonight is a chance for City to get revenge on Real after what happened last year in the competition.
This time around, City have Haaland who has been breaking all kinds of record this season.
The Norwegian has been absolutely deadly this term, and City fans are hoping he is the missing piece of the puzzle in terms of finally winning that elusive Champions League trophy.
Ahead of the game, Real boss Ancelotti spoke about the 22-year-old superstar. But he insisted his side will try to make sure they contain other City threats, not just £51 million man Haaland.
He said (via realmadrid.com): “He’s a very dangerous player, he’s shown amazing quality especially in the goals he’s scored.
“He’s a threat, but only talking about Haaland means not talking about a very complete team, which defends well, attacks well and has plenty of ideas.
“We’re not setting out just to stop Haaland, but to stop a team that seems unstoppable. I think we have a chance to have an even, competitive game and that we can win.”
Carlo Ancelotti is right – Real Madrid would be fools to only focus on Erling Haaland
Ancelotti is right to suggest that Real Madrid would be foolish to only try and contain Haaland.
City obviously have plenty of other players who can do some damage.
But hopefully Haaland is in one of those moods that requires multiple players trying to stop him.
That way, there is a greater potential for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva to be freed up.
