Haaland boosts Man City’s attack in survival fight against Real Madrid

It will be a do-or-die affair when Manchester City travel to Madrid to meet Real in a clash they must win to survive. Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg at the Etihad and need only a draw to knock the English champions out of the 2024/25 Champions League title race.

Already, City manager, Pep Guardiola, has given Carlo Ancellotti the first step by saying that his team has only a slim chance of turning the table in Madrid. However, old fox, Ancellotti, who is one of the most successful managers in the game, is not taken by such “psychological,” gimmicks. He believes Man City is as dangerous as the team that knocked them out of the race two seasons ago, and therefore, has told his players to be ready for a battle of their lives.

Manchester City has been given a boost by the news that star striker, Erling Haaland is fit to play. Haaland suffered an injury scare during his side’s Premier League triumph over Newcastle United. However, Guardiola is optimistic that the striker will be fit to play at the Bernabeu.

“When he was down, everyone was scared,” said Guardiola. “He got up and walked smiling like always. I didn’t speak to him, but the doctors didn’t come for bad news. Hopefully (he will be fine for Madrid).”

Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez, and David Alaba could miss the crucial second leg against Manchester City. They are all doubts about the match, but it is highly unlikely that Dani Carvajal will feature due to a knee injury. He is joined on Madrid’s injury list by fellow defender Eder Militao.

Juventus won the first leg of their tie with PSV 2-1 in Eindhoven and are expected to wrap up the tie today in Turin. But like most other teams, they have their injury worries with Douglas Luiz a doubt with a muscle injury.

The Italian club will also be missing Arkadiusz Milik due to a calf issue and Pierre Kalulu, who has hurt his thigh. Juan Cabal and Gleison Bremer will both miss the match due to knee injuries, with Juventus hoping to hold on after taking a 2-1 lead in the tie.

Armando Obispo and Guus Til are doubts for PSV while Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, Rick Karsdorp, Sergino Dest, and Olivier Boscagli are all out. In the second-leg clash between PSG and Brest, there are question marks on the fitness of the Parisian club’s Ibrahim Mbaye, who has an ankle complaint. Warren Zaire-Emery is totally out of the game after also suffering an ankle problem.

PSG are in control after a 3-0 win in the first leg, and if that was not enough, Massadio Haidara, Romain Del Castillo, and Jonas Martin are all doubts for Brest, while Ibrahim Salah is out with a metatarsal issue.

The last game of the day is between Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon, whom the German side defeated 3-0 in the first leg. But Dortmund will be without midfielder Felix Nmecha, Ramy Bensebaini, and Filippo Mane are also doubts for the match.

Their Portuguese opponents are without several players, too, including Geny Catamo, Daniel Braganca, Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos, and Jeremiah Israel St. Juste.