Three talking points ahead of Manchester City vs Real Madrid | Champions League Round of 16 | OneFootball

With seven goals in their last two games, Real Madrid are at one of their few peaks of the season in terms of the squad cohesion, form, and unity.

The win over Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu was a result that not many would have expected, and to do so by a 3-0 margin only showed that Real Madrid can still be formidable on their day.

To make matters even better, Los Blancos retained that form at the weekend and scored four goals past Elche in La Liga, maintaining the momentum on their side.

Tomorrow, they take to the field for the second leg of the Round of 16 clash against Pep Guardiola’s side, and the only objective they will have in mind will be to enter the quarterfinals at any cost.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Manchester City vs Real Madrid.

A lead to fall back on

It is not often that a UEFA Champions League knockout clash feels done and dusted after a single leg, but something about Real Madrid’s fixture against Manchester City suggests the same.

Los Blancos, after all, demolished Manchester City by a 3-0 margin in the first-leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, and while that lead may not be enough, it is a healthy advantage to defend.

Pep Guardiola’s side will enter the game on Tuesday knowing full well that they have to deliver the game of their lives to turn around that deficit. While it is not impossible, however, it is clear that Real Madrid have one leg in the quarterfinals.

With the pressure firmly on the hosts, Real Madrid could perhaps play second-fiddle tomorrow, looking to hit out on the break after soaking in the pressure.

The defence, however, will have to be more alert than ever for every goal the hosts score on the night will down Los Blancos’ spirits and give Guardiola’s side belief that a comeback is on the cards.

To risk or not to risk Mbappe?

Mbappe is back. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The big news ahead of the game midweek is the return of two mainstays to the squad – Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

Needless to say, the double boost comes as a massive positive for Alvaro Arbeloa’s plans, for the manager has made it very clear how much he values both stars and what they bring to the field.

What remains to be calculated, however, is whether either player should play and under what conditions they must be called onto the field.

For a game in the Champions League, it is clear that Arbeloa will want his best men on the job. The dilemma, however, arises from the fact that both players may well have been rushed to make it back in time for the big game.

Mbappe could have some minutes off the bench on the night, but if Arbeloa has the chance to get through the ninety minutes without his presence, that must be the priority.

After all, the Frenchman’s long-term fitness is the priority, and allowing him minutes as a formality at this point would appear unnecessary if the team are cruising to the next round.

The same decision and stance, needless to say, goes with Bellingham as well who has been absent for months now and will be relatively rusty.

Going for the offence

With a three-goal lead in the bag, it is but natural for the approach of Real Madrid to be a more measured and conservative one.

Preserving that lead, after all, would appear to be an easier task to accomplish compared to playing a completely neutral game with equal attacking opportunities.

Alvaro Arbeloa and Co., however, must move away from any such plans and go on the offensive on the night, for it remains in their best interest to score another goal and kill off the game.

Manchester City will likely commit all their resources in attack and leave spaces behind at the back, leaving Los Blancos with the right situation to capitalise on.

Even just one early goal on the night will take the aggregate score to 4-0 in Real Madrid’s favour and kill off any enthusiasm or dreams from the Premier League side.

It will thus be interesting to see what instructions Arbeloa hands out to the team come Tuesday and whether they go on the offensive or sit in a deep defensive block.