Manchester City are gearing up for a highly-anticipated showdown, with the Premier League giants set to face Real Madrid today in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal encounter.
The pair faced off last week in the first leg and played out one of the most exciting 90 minutes of football in the tournament's recent history. A total of seven goals were scored, with the Cityzens netting four and Los Blancos bagging three – two of which came courtesy of Karim Benzema.
Ahead of the return leg at the Bernabeu, Premier League icon Arsene Wenger, who made one of his regular appearances on beIN Sports, weighed in with his prediction for the mouthwatering affair. The Frenchman, who crossed paths with Guardiola both in the UEFA Champions League during Pep's Barcelona days and in the English top-flight, argued that Manchester City have one key vulnerability which could be exploited and that is the potential absence of Kyle Walker.
The Englishman, who is a key figure in Pep's back line, missed out on the first leg due to injury and while the right-back has recovered, thus making the trip to Madrid, it remains unclear whether the former Tottenham star will be fit enough to start.
And Wenger feels that the lack of Walker's amazing recovery speed could leave the Cityzens vulnerable to balls in behind their line of defense. Nonetheless, Arsene still backs Guardiola's men to make the final as they are the superior side.
"City. They are the better team," the former Arsenal boss told beIN Sports when asked for his prediction for Wednesday's clash.
"The only thing with City, they can be vulnerable when Walker doesn't play in that defense.
"When they have [Joao] Cancelo and Walker they can deal well with the passes in behind the defenders. When Walker is not there, they are a bit more vulnerable."
"They are a better team!"
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 3, 2022
Arsène Wenger takes a closer look at Real Madrid vs Manchester City, and is backing Pep Guardiola to reach a second consecutive Champions League final!#beINUCL #UCL #VILLIV
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It just so happens to be that one of the three goals Manchester City conceded at home in the first leg came courtesy of the aforementioned issue. While Walker was injured, Cancelo was suspended, meaning Fernandinho had to come on as a first-half substitute to deputize in the right-back role after John Stones, who started in that position, went off injured.
Given Fernandinho's age and lack of pace, Vinicius Jr. was able to profit from this and score a brilliant solo goal, beating his fellow Brazilian on the halfway line before traversing the remainder of the pitch unchallenged to score past Ederson.
Fortunately, Cancelo is back from suspension and while he as speedy as his English counterpart, the Portuguese ace should offer better protection than the departing veteran midfielder. Pep will hope his back four can maintain their composure in their attempt to join Liverpool in the final in Paris.
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