Real Madrid will host Manchester City in the first leg of their Europa League last eight match. Thanks to the break given by the La Liga final, Real Madrid was able to enjoy up to 9 days of rest and preparation for the match, while Manchester City, on the other hand, had a month's worth of consecutive battles that left their players physically and mentally exhausted. In this physical duel, the "Galaxy" undoubtedly has the upper hand. It is worth mentioning that Real Madrid in the last four years in the UEFA Europa League home against the Premier League team, the record of 3 wins and 1 draw, this matchup, the flat handicap seems to be more favorable to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid is currently leading the La Liga standings, with eight points separating them from Barcelona in second place, and has high hopes of winning the title. The team's recent form is excellent, with three consecutive victories and 10 goals scored. In addition, the nine-day rest period allows the "Galaxy Fleet" to play in the best condition, which undoubtedly increases the chances of winning.
Looking back at Real Madrid's last four Europa League knockout matches, a 1-1 draw at home against Manchester City in the first round and a 0-4 defeat on the road in the second round, coach Antonio Anciarotti has learned his lesson. I believe that in this crucial match, Real Madrid will adopt a more aggressive tactic and try to avoid repeating the same mistake. In fact, Real Madrid's last four years in the UEFA Europa League home matches against Premier League teams have defeated Liverpool, Chelsea, and played Manchester City twice, with a win and a draw, so their strength is guaranteed.
At the same time, Manchester City in the past month has played with the English Premier League powerhouse Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa, while also taking care of the English FA Cup, physical exhaustion is huge. Compared to last season, the overall performance of the "Blue Moon" is a little bit weaker, especially the striker Enin Zahavi's low form. In the past six matches of the club and national team, they only scored one goal. The Norwegian internationals have been out of position frequently in games. Their play may not have much impact on the outcome of today's match, with Real Madrid expected to take the lead.
