The stars are out at the Etihad, where the Premier League leader and La Liga leader go head-to-head with a place in the Champions League final the endgame.
Then, City held on for a scrappy 1–0 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid in the quarterfinal. However, Real Madrid eliminated City in the 2016 semifinals on a tight 1–0 aggregate en route to its first of three straight Champions League titles. Then, in the quarterfinals, Real eliminated defending champion Chelsea in extra time after blowing a 3–1 aggregate lead.
Kevin De Bruyne's superb header has given Manchester City an early lead in this Champions League semi-final first leg.Manchester City: Ederson; Stones, ...
The bookmaker's odds suggest that Manchester City and Liverpool are likely to be the two teams contesting the Champions League final. Manchester City have made four changes from their demolition of Watford at the weekend. As talk rages on about where Mahrez will be playing his football next season, he has been given the trust of his manager this evening. This evening's clash has all the hallmarks of a classic Champions League clash. Success is what every footballer craves as a youngster and then when they get their break at the top level. It is unlikely the England regular would have got a look in had Cancelo not been suspended but such is the scenario that he and Guardiola find themselves in. Rematch.— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2022 We are just 20 minutes away from kick off in the first of the two Champions League semi finals. We are just moments away from kick off in Manchester as the two teams make their way out onto the Etihad pitch. That is exactly what Guardiola would have wanted as Mahrez clips a perfect cross into the Real Madrid penalty area where De Bruyne is on hand to bravely nod beyond Thibaut Courtois. Although, they do seem relatively happy to let City control the ball in rather ineffective areas. City have doubled their lead and De Bruyne is once again at the heart of it.
Manchester City had its way with Real Madrid — sort of. In the game's aftermath, it was hard to shake the feeling that things had gone the other way.
Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all interested in signing Villarreal defender Pau Torres. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Tammy Abraham has reiterated his desire to remain at AS Roma beyond this season, according to Calciomercato. The 24-year-old striker joined the club from Chelsea last summer, and he has since become an important part of Jose Mourinho's side, having contributed to 19 goals in 33 games in Serie A. It is reported that Arsenal have made him a priority target, but persuading Abraham to make the switch from Italy could be difficult. Jules Kounde wants to leave Sevilla at the end of the season, according to Ekrem Konur. The LaLiga club will be looking for a fee in the region of €70m if they are to part ways with the 23-year-old defender, with a move to Chelsea having been repeatedly linked. A release clause in his contract worth around €60 million could see the three Premier League sides begin to advance negotiations, but it is unlikely to be without challenges from Spain, with Barcelona also in the mix.