The Telegraph Writes:
Milner’s discipline needed
Manchester City’s right side is clearly an area for concern when you consider that Cristiano Ronaldo, happy and on form or not, often starts from that area. Not only that, Marcelo was one of then few positives from Real Madrid’s defeat to Seville on Saturday, the left back’s constant raids causing plenty of problems. This threat would be a good reason to play James Milner on that side as a dependable partner for Pablo Zabaleta. With this pair, at least City wouldn’t lack for discipline and stamina.
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In Pepe and Sergio Ramos, Real boast a couple of forthright centre-halves who like to get tight and put themselves about to try and dominate their opponent from the start. Ramos, in particular, has always loved a tackle, which can be a weakness when he sells himself too early by going to ground. A fully fit Sergio Agüero could definitely exploit this. The striker at his sharpest can nick the ball around the corner to maybe draw a foul from his adversary. The only question is will Agüero be able to find his ’A game’ having missed a few weeks with that knee injury.
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As always, the effectiveness of Yaya Touré is crucial to City, whether he plays deep or in a more attacking role. Given the occasion, though, I’d expect him to start as an anchorman next to Javi Garcia in order to give City a solid base. The Touré-Garcia axis might be only one game old but it needs to click when Real get the ball. Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema – whoever comes their way is sure to be a test for the understanding and positioning of this new partnership.
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Tevez the terrier
Xabi Alonso makes Real tick. His metronomic passing from the base of midfield so often sets the tempo. Roberto Mancini will therefore have special plans and Carlos Tévez seems perfectly placed to do a spoiling job. The City manager will have noticed how Seville succeeded in this area, when Alonso got crowded out by the busy Ivan Rakitic. Tévez has the energy and wit to do even better. He can hassle Alonso in possession but also run beyond him when City get the ball.
Garcia, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany
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City have enough height and power to get some joy at set pieces, an area of Real’s game Jose Mourinho is less than happy with, having conceded from a corner after only a minute on Saturday. That’s just not like a Mourinho side. Concentration and discipline are normally spot on. The likes of Yaya Touré, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Garcia must therefore test Real’s resolve, see if they harbour a weakness at defensive set plays. Confidence can’t be sky high at the Bernabeu. City must hope they are visiting at the right time.
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Source: The Telegraph
Which team do you think will win today's game and why?
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