Still on track for a domestic and continental treble this season.
The Citizens extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points on Saturday thanks to a 2-1 win over Leeds United. Nathan Ake had barely recovered from a hamstring injury before going down to the turf with a similar problem against Leeds early in the second half. The Dutchman was able to walk unaided and returned to the bench with an ice pack on his leg, but it remains to be seen whether he will qualify for the trip to Madrid when they welcome Manchester City to the Bernabeu in the first leg of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final for the top-tier European title. Carlo Ancelotti's men progressed to the last four after beating Chelsea 4-0 in the quarters and won 2-0 in front of their home fans before a similar victory at Stamford Bridge. Los Blancos' La Liga title dreams are all but over, but they added another Copa del Rey title to their trophy cabinet on Saturday night, beating Osasuna 2-1 in Rodrigo Brace's last game. Pep Guardiola's side eased past German champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Man City have the best chance of a historic treble this campaign after incredible performances in all competitions.
Since their first meeting over a decade ago, City and Real have butted heads on numerous occasions, often reaching the Champions League final. City were the new kids on the block when they first traveled to the Bernabeu. They had won the Premier League that season but this was their second Champions League campaign. Roberto Mancini's side were knocked out at the group stage on their maiden outing and would face an even worse fate in 2012/13 as they finished bottom of the group. On matchday one, City pushed aside Jose Mourinho's Real in a five-goal second half. Edin Dzeko gave the visitors a 2-1 lead with five minutes remaining before vintage Real ran out 3-2 winners in a late show. Cristiano Ronaldo wins at the death. By the time the reverse fixture rolled around in Manchester, City's fate at the bottom of the group was all but sealed. Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid were the two teams to advance from the group, but Mancini's side managed to hold off the Spanish side's bid for top spot by holding on to a point on matchday. Sergio Aguero's spot kick canceled out Karim Benzema's early opener. Ronaldo returned in the second half but it was Gareth Bale who made all the difference in the Spanish capital. Real made a confident start in the opening 20 minutes when the Welshman's cross-cum-shot was deflected by City midfielder Fernando. Fernandinho came close to restoring the equalizer just before half-time but Real's superiority was evident and they dominated the second half without extending their lead.
Thus, it was a narrow 1-0 win for the Spanish giants and they would go on to beat crosstown rivals Atletico on penalties in the final.
The pair will face an English side who are chasing a historic treble and won Pep Guardiola's first Champions League trophy since leaving Barcelona in 2011.n Erling Haaland could also win his first Champions League trophy if City can overtake Real Madrid and beat Milan or Inter. Haaland has already broken records for City, with 35 goals the most goals ever scored in the Premier League. Speaking to Catch Offside, Stan Collymore spoke about the possible implications if Haaland win the Champions League in his first season in England. Now that he has broken that record and is focused on winning the treble, if Haaland and City can do it, how much incentive will he have to stay at the Etihad? - Very little, in my opinion.
He linked that with Jude Bellingham, who was reported to be close to a deal with Real Madrid this summer.
"Add to that the fact that he's really good friends with Bellingham and, as I've said many times before, I wouldn't be surprised to see the pair reunite in Madrid. It would be a move that would make sense for Haaland - I doubt he would see out his career at City and play for the biggest club in the world, joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, Ronaldo Nazario and Luis Figo. , Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos, Alfredo Di Stefano and Zinedine Zidane in the epic book will all be the only things missing from his career. So watch this space over the next few seasons - from Haaland to Real Madrid.
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