Manchester City knows full well the size of the challenge that is presented by facing Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Following their 4-2 win over Crystal Palace yesterday, Tuesday night’s epic match-up has begun to come into focus. It promises to be an engrossing contest between two of Europe’s best teams in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie. The two teams have played out epic semi-final contests in the past two seasons, and another epic encounter awaits.
Manchester City must handle the occasion and the hostile environment at the home of the 14-time European champions. It is imperative that they do to give themselves an opportunity to head to next week’s second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie off the back of a positive result in Spain. A helpful guide as to how to get UEFA Champions League tickets and experience the unparalleled Bernabeu atmosphere can be found at the link provided. Given the magnitude of Tuesday’s game the home crowd will make it a special occasion. For those fortunate to be in attendance it will be a special night at the home of Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola’s side know what awaits them at the Bernabeu. The venue is one of the most hostile in European football for visiting teams. Last season saw the European champions leave Madrid off the back of a 1-all draw with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg. That crucial result set them up for an emphatic 4-nil win in the second leg and laid the foundation for their maiden Champions League crown last season.
Unfortunately, in the 21/22 campaign, City were moments from securing a place in the 21/22 Champions League final when they led 5-3 on aggregate before stoppage time. But two goals from Rodrygo in stoppage time turned the tie on its head. City would crash out of the 21/22 competition after a Karim Benzema penalty in extra time. But the damage was done in the chaotic final moments of the game at the Bernabeu when Madrid were backed by their ferocious home crowd. It was clear that night that the atmosphere inside the Bernabeu aided Real Madrid’s miraculous comeback.
READ MORE: Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: Early team news, ticket information and TV/Livestream information.
As per transfermarkt.com in La Liga this season, Real Madrid has amassed an impressive record of 13 wins and 2 draws at the Bernabeu. In the Champions League this season, they have won three games and drawn one. Their only draw was against RB Leipzig when they drew 1-all in the Round of 16 second leg match. It is a formidable venue for opposing teams to visit.
The atmosphere created by the Real Madrid fans is another factor that makes them so hard to beat at home. Their fans demand success, and it pushes their stars on to match the historical feats achieved by the great Real Madrid teams of the past. Many visiting teams have crumbled in the face of such a hostile environment. Manchester City know what awaits them in Madrid, and if they can quieten the Bernabeu crowd, it will go a long way in helping them pick up the required result on Tuesday evening.
Pep Guardiola and his team know the size of the task that awaits them at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid. It’s a road they have successfully navigated before on their way to Champions League success last season. They will have to do so again if they are to keep their hopes of winning consecutive Champions League titles alive.
