The journey from Real Madrid to the Etihad to face in Manchester City was undoubtedly the draw of the UEFA Champions League Knockout Playoff round, and fans were not disappointed. Los Blancos went to England in the midst of an injury crisis, with five of their seven usual senior defenders who were all injured. Midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde had to fill in the middle of the back and the right back respectively, and both performed brilliantly in an epic first stage.
Erling Haaland gave the hosts a peace ahead, only for Kylian Mbappe to somehow run an equalizer shortly after the break. City went in front again with ten minutes, with Haaland taking his second of the game out of the penalty spot. But then Real showed that resilient spirit that we have become so used to in recent years to see them at the continental stage.
The visitors came right for the second time in the night through former City Academy product Brahim Diaz in the 86th minute. Subsequently, Talismanic midfielder Jude Bellingham succeeded in bundling in an empty net after a defensive catastrophe in the second minute of injury time to give his side a stunning 3-2 comeback victory and make them the sturdy favorites to the last 16 to go.
The result resulted in a statement to the rest of Europe. But how do the other representatives of Spain – namely Barcelona and Atletico Madrid – measure? Here we all rank the remaining Spanish clubs to lift the trophy this season.
Real Madrid is comfortable as the best hope of Spain to maintain the Champions League crown. Last season they ruled Supreme for a record-expanding 15th time when they sent Borussia Dortmund to Wembley. This year they apparently shaken their competition phase inconsistencies to appear again as a real leader.
The victory over Manchester City not only emphasized their depth of quality, but also their ruthless mentality that remains unparalleled at the continental stage. Their team is full of world -class talent. Jude Bellingham quickly became the Talisman of the team and defeated the heart, which adds a lot of dynamics to midfield next to the versatile Eduardo Camavinga.
In the front, Kylian Mbappe offers electric pace and clinical finish, and he now seems to have finally found his foot as the most important man of the club. Supported by Vinicius JR – who continues to blind with his flair and creativity – his Los Blancos is well positioned to storm Europe again.
The tactical flexibility under manager Carlo Ancelotti is another important advantage. Against City, Madrid showed their resilience and clawed back twice from behind before handling the decisive blow in extra time.
Continental experience remains their strength, and the appearance of the Santiago Bernabeu for the second stage against the city serves as an intimidating prospect for each team. The latest sports betting Apparently agrees. After their 3-2 first legs victory, the newest online opportunities now make a 6.00 second favorite for the trophy behind Liverpool. If they can close the deal in the return bone, those opportunities will be further shortened.
Barcelona has shown a significant improvement in the European stage this season under Hansi Flick. In the past term they achieved the quarterfinals, their best show in four years, but they are still confronted with a tough fight to reclaim their former dominance. Secondly, ending in the newly renewed competition phase proved that the Blaugrana can hang with the very best on the continent, but it has to be seen whether their mental vulnerability survives in the messing world of knockout football.
Robert Lewandowski remains deadly for the goal at the age of 35. His nine goals were second in the top scorer -hit lists behind Borussia Dortmund Hitman Serhou Guirassy, and he will strive for a similar vein as soon as the Catalans campaign returns en route in the Tour of 16.
Lamine Yamal and vice-captain Raphinha joined the ruthless pole in perhaps one of the most frightening attacking tridents all over Europe. They have combined to score no fewer than 66 goals in all the competitions between them so far, and it has been the rise of the Brazilian skipper who is perhaps the most surprising thing about Barcelona's season. The former Leeds United man was supposed to be on his way to the club last summer, but he has returned with a revenge and is now considered one of the best wing players in the world.
But despite their progression, the concern about their ability to compete against the European elite in the knock -out phase. The team lacks the ruthlessness that the Real Madrid team has defined, and injuries to important players such as Frenkie de Jong have disturbed their rhythm earlier in the season. Add to that the fact that they remain banished in the Olympic Stadium instead of their spiritual home base of the camp Nou; It would be a big surprise to get Barcelona in his hands this season.
Atletico Madrid thrive in tournaments where tactical grit and defensive stability dominate. Under Diego Simeone they have consistently reached the last phases of the Champions League, often frustrating Europe's heavyweight parties. They reached two finals in three seasons in 2014 and 2016 and were eventually brought down on both occasions with their more illustrious Cross-City rivals. But this season Los Rojiblancos looks back on their very best.
The backline of Atleti looks reborn with the new boys Robin Le Normand and Clement Lenglet with the reliable Jose Gimenez. Jan Oblak, in the goal, remains the rock of the team when taken into action. In midfield, the persistent spirit of Rodrigo de Paul, Conor Gallagher and Pablo Barrios offers a bucket loads of energy on both ends of the field.
In the past seasons, Athleti has missed a reliable striker who can adequately support the sparkle of Antoine Griezmann. This season they apparently found their husbands in the form of the Argentinian World Cup winner Julian Alvarez. The former man in Manchester City has scored TOP with 17 goals in 36 performances in all competitions, and if he can continue to combine with his Mercurial French Strike partner, there is no reason to believe that Atletico cannot run and get the latter Phases the tournament this period.
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