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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joshua Smith

'Advantage' - Man City fans make big prediction after Real Madrid team news

Manchester City fans predicted a good night for star striker Erling Haaland ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

The clash will begin on a knife edge after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Bernabeu. Vinicius Junior fired Champions League holders Real into the lead with a stunning strike in the first half before Kevin De Bruyne levelled with an equally brilliant effort in the second period.

And after Real Madrid announced their team for the delicately-balanced second leg, City fans went into a frenzy.

READ MORE: Man City vs Real Madrid LIVE

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti made just one change from the first leg in Spain, with centre-back Eder Militao coming in for former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.

The German defender got the better of his tussle with Haaland at the Bernabeu and was frequently seen going toe-to-toe physically with the Norwegian.

And the news that Haaland would not be facing Rudiger sent City fans wild on social media, here's what a few of them had to say:

Following the first leg, former Man United and England defender Rio Ferdinand said of Haaland and Rudiger's duel: "Militao is normally the first choice centre-back but he was out so Rudiger comes in.

"If you were going to ask any player to come in in European football at the moment, I probably would have said for aggression, application, the way he enjoys that physical element of the game.

"That's what we've been saying about Haaland in the Premier League, who's been willing to take him and have a one-versus-one battle and be confident the way Rudiger was today?

"He was excellent and clever as well at times. He made one great block in the second half. I think you've got to be aggressive with Haaland.

"I still don't think they nullified him completely but I thought today that's the best I've seen a centre-back pairing play him."

Real Madrid's starting XI to face Manchester City: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.

Order the Manchester City v Real Madrid semi-final matchday programme HERE.

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