BREAKING NEWS: coming from Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid superstar has sent a warning to Manchester City ahead of their 2nd leg clash in the Champions League. In a press conference he said ” they are a very good team very structured but we (Madrid) have a plan and this is warning come with everything you have cause history must repeat itself we are sending you back to England. We’re going to fight, as we always do”. Real Madrid star sends warning to Man City ahead of 2nd leg of UCL quarter-final.
Real Madrid and Manchester City clashed in the opening leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The intense encounter culminated in a 3-3 draw on Tuesday, April 9, leaving both teams eagerly contending for advancement. The match erupted with excitement within the initial moments as City’s midfielder, Bernardo Silva, swiftly notched the opening goal. However, Madrid swiftly responded, with center-back Rúben Dias inadvertently scoring an own goal in the 12th minute, followed by Rodrygo seizing the lead just two minutes later. Despite Madrid maintaining a 2-1 lead at halftime, City’s Phil Foden equalized in the 66th minute, and Joško Gvardiol edged City ahead in the 71st minute.
The thrilling conclusion unfolded in the 79th minute when Real Madrid’s Uruguayan midfielder, Federico Valverde, clinched the final equalizer. Despite Manchester City’s formidable record of not losing a single Champions League home game since 2018, Valverde, aged 25, exuded confidence, expressing via Mirror, “There’s always a first time. You always have to believe, to have conviction, us especially.” Valverde emphasized the team’s unwavering belief and commitment to hard work, asserting, “We’re an example of that, so that the fans believe. We are the first to believe it can be done. We have to work hard, every player has to give everything in every ball – and if we all pull in the same direction, I think we can do it.”
Looking ahead, Los Blancos are set to face Manchester City in the second leg of the quarter-finals at the Etihad Stadium on April 18. Valverde acknowledged the closely contested nature of the competition, asserting, “It’s very even. We’re two of the best in the Champions League, we’re two very good teams.” Despite City’s advantage of playing at home, Valverde affirmed Madrid’s determination to put up a fierce fight and deliver their best performance. He concluded with a rallying cry, noting the wealth of experience within the team, stating, “We’re going to fight, as we always do. We have lots of players who have won five Champions Leagues, so we have to make that count.”
Fede Valverde’s journey with Real Madrid commenced in 2016 when he joined from Penarol. Since then, he has made significant contributions, tallying 20 goals and 23 assists in 247 games and accumulating numerous accolades, including two La Liga titles (2019–20 and 2021–22), the 2022–23 Copa del Rey, and the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League, among others.
Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, while acknowledging the spectacle of the match, expressed some reservations regarding his squad’s performance against Manchester City. Ancelotti remarked, “Great match, it was an advert for football, but it was always going to be that way given the quality that was on the pitch.” Despite moments of control, Ancelotti lamented conceding two goals that were struck with pinpoint accuracy into the top corner. However, he deemed the draw a fair outcome, drawing confidence from the team’s ability to compete on equal terms. Ancelotti’s only regret stemmed from missed opportunities, particularly when the scores stood at 2-1.
Reflecting on past encounters, Real Madrid’s previous meeting with Manchester City in the 2022-2023 UEFA Champions League semi-final ended in disappointment, with Los Blancos suffering a 5-1 aggregate defeat as City went on to secure the treble.
