La Liga giants Real Madrid this morning learned of the daunting task that awaits them, in booking a spot in the semi-finals of this season’s edition of the Champions League.
The tournament’s most successful-ever club will be forced to do battle with reigning champions Manchester City, to keep alive hopes of fresh glory on the continent.
The tie’s first leg will see Carlo Ancelotti’s troops act as hosts, at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 9th.
And Real will then be forced to make the trip to Manchester, for the return meeting between the European heavyweights on April 16th.
So, what does Los Blancos’ historical record at The Etihad Stadium look like?
In truth, it marks concerning reading for those hopeful of the capital giants sending Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions packing from the Champions League.
Real Madrid, to date, have taken to the pitch at The Etihad on five occasions.
And they are yet to emerge triumphant from a single one.
Dating back to 2012, the Spanish outfit have managed a pair of draws, alongside a trio of defeats in Manchester. Not only that, but all three of these losses have come in the space of the last four seasons.
Most notably, just last term, Ancelotti and co. made the trip to The Etihad in the Champions League’s semi-finals, with the tie on a knife-edge after a 1-1 stalemate in Madrid.
Guardiola’s City, however, went on to blow Real firmly out of the water, courtesy of a rampant 4-0 home triumph.
Safe to say, an altogether improved display will be required on the part of the Merengues this time round…
Conor Laird | GSFN
