Real Madrid vs Manchester City. UEFA Champions League Semi-Final.
Santiago BernabeuAttendance78,300.
1-0
Wednesday 4 May 2016 19:34, UK
Manchester City are looking to reach their first Champions League final when they take on Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.
The tie is evenly poised after the 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium, but Real Madrid, who are yet to concede a goal at home in this month's competition, will have star man Cristiano Ronaldo back in the side after he missed the first leg with a hamstring injury.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Zinedine Zidane said: "Cristiano is okay. He is 100 per cent.
"He trained this morning and he will be there tomorrow."
Zidane will be hoping he can lead his side to a 14th final in the competition as they look to extend an unbeaten nine-game run against English sides in the Champions League.
There was also good news for City boss Manuel Pellegrini after it was revealed midfielder Yaya Toure had travelled with the squad to Madrid.
The Ivory Coast international, who missed City's last two games with a thigh injury, trained ahead of the second leg, but the club initially tweeted he had not travelled.
However, the club later confirmed that Toure was indeed on the plane to Spain, meaning he could play some part at the Bernabeu.
The only previous competitive meeting between the sides at the Bernabeu was in the group stage of the 2012/13 competition, with City leading twice before losing 3-2 thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Ronaldo.
Team news
While Ronaldo will be back in Real's ranks, Zidane confirmed Karim Benzema is a doubt after the French striker limped off in the first leg with a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Casimero is also a doubt after missing training before the clash with Pellegrini's side.
For City, David Silva (hamstring) is out and fellow midfielder Samir Nasri is ineligible.
A host of other players are set to return after being rested for the weekend loss at Southampton.
Opta stats
Manchester City are currently unbeaten in six Champions League matches; their longest run ever in the competition (W3 D3).
City have lost three of their last four Champions League matches away in Spain; although they did claim victory in their most recent outing in the country (2015/16 group stage v Sevilla).
Sergio Aguero hasn't had a shot on target in the Champions League for 432 minutes. His last one was his goal against Dynamo Kiev in February. Aguero has failed to score in his last four Champions League games, his longest drought in the competition since his run of five games without a goal between November 2011 and October 2012.
Ronaldo has only missed seven of Real Madrid's 80 Champions League games since his arrival at the club in 2009. In that time, Real have won 71 per cent of their matches when he has featured (52 out of 73) compared to 43 per cent (3 out of 7) when he's been absent.
The former Manchester United striker has scored or assisted 77 per cent of Real Madrid's goals in this season's competition (20 out of 26). He's only goal away from the Champions League record for most goals in a Champions League campaign, a record he currently holds (17 in 2013/14).
Benzema has scored in two of his three Champions League games against Manchester City. However, he's failed to find the net in his last four Champions League games; only once has he gone on a longer drought in this competition (five games, December 2009-November 2010).
Keylor Navas has kept 10 clean sheets in 11 games in his Champions League career. He's saved 30 of the 32 shots on target he's faced in the competition.
Nicholas' prediction
It wasn't the worst result for City but I thought Madrid were there for the taking in the first leg and City hardly laid a glove on them. Vincent Kompany was probably their man of the match and that says a lot.
I know Ronaldo has been training but he won't be fully fit, which is a bonus because you can see Gareth Bale has become their top man recently and I think Ronaldo's presence back in the team reduces his influence.
Kevin De Bruyne sitting in behind Aguero does suit the counter-attack and they simply have to have a go at them and score, otherwise it will just be a matter of time before Real get on the scoresheet.
Sadly, I think they've missed their opportunity and Pellegrini won't have the glorious ending he's dreaming of, with Bale maintaining his fine form and breaking City hearts.
Charlie predicts: 3-1 Bale to score first - Real Madrid to reach Champions league final!
Betting
Manchester City are up against odds of 7/4 to reach the Champions League final and 5/1 to win at the Bernabeu, with Real Madrid just 1/2 to progress with a victory.
A repeat of the first-leg goalless draw is available at 14/1, making either side to progress in extra-time a 25/1 while a penalty shoot-out is 30/1.
Cristiano Ronaldo heads the first goalscorer betting at 11/4 with Sergio Aguero more than double the price at 6/1.
