A mouth-watering Champions League semi-final first-leg showdown takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night as holders Real Madrid play host to Manchester City.
While Los Blancos are bidding to retain their title and lift the trophy for a record-extending 15th time, the Champions League still eludes the Citizens despite their status as favourites to win this year's tournament.
Real Madrid topped Group F before progressing past English pair Liverpool and Chelsea in the last 16 and quarter-finals respectively, with a 4-0 aggregate win over the latter helping them reach their third consecutive semi-final.
Man City are also competing in their third successive Champions League semi-final after winning Group G and successfully navigating their way past German duo RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds, including a 4-1 aggregate triumph over the latter in the quarter-finals.
As Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, two of the most prestigious managers in the modern era, prepare to go toe-to-toe on the touchline in a repeat of last season's semi-final clash, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at three key battles to look out for on the pitch in Tuesday's clash in the Spanish capital.
Vinicius Junior vs. Kyle Walker and/or John Stones
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Labelled by Ancelotti as "the most influential player in world football" earlier this year, Vinicius Junior has developed into a key man on the left flank for Real Madrid and has already shown his threat as both a goalscorer and creator this season, recording 22 goals and 21 assists in 50 games across all competitions, including six goals and five assists in 10 Champions League appearances.
The 22-year-old, who has completed more dribbles (66) and attempted more take-ons (99) than any other player in this season's Champions League, is set to be heavily involved again over the course of Real's semi-final clash with Man City, and it remains to be seen which Citizens defender will be tasked with suppressing the Brazilian's brilliance on Tuesday night.
Guardiola continues to keep the opposition and supporters guessing on how he sets up his side, but a highly functional and fluid back-three system that has been predominantly deployed since the turn of the year is likely to be used on Tuesday, which could therefore see John Stones continue in his deep-lying midfield role alongside lynchpin Rodri.
Stones has excelled in his hybrid role, stepping into the middle of the pitch and dictating play, but he is still required to carry out his defensive duties when City are out of possession and is often seen slotting into the right side of the backline to provide extra protection, something that could be seen again against Real Madrid in an attempt to keep Vinicius quiet on the left.
Unlike Stones, Kyle Walker "cannot play" in the inverted full-back role according to Guardiola, but the 32-year-old has instead operated as part of the back three in recent weeks. Despite having only featured for 93 minutes in the Champions League this season, Walker's blistering pace and athleticism could be key to stopping Vinicius in his tracks.
Luka Modric vs. Kevin De Bruyne
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At the ripe age of 37, Luka Modric continues to play a vital role in Ancelotti's side and he is expected to be involved on Tuesday after recovering from a hamstring problem to feature as a substitute in Real Madrid's Copa del Rey final win over Osasuna last weekend.
The creative Croatian has admirably coped with the physical demands since gradually moving back into a deep-lying midfield role while still strutting his stuff in possession as the chief playmaker for Los Blancos, picking out the runs of attacking trio Vinicius, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo.
Everything seems to goes through Modric for Madrid, and Man City can ill-afford to give the midfield metronome too much time on the ball, while the same applies for Los Blancos in preventing Kevin De Bruyne from dictating play at the Bernabeu.
Arguably the best playmaker in world football, De Bruyne has registered the most assists (16) of any player in Europe's top-five leagues this season, while only Vinicius (six) has provided more assists that the Belgian (five) in the Champions League to date.
City's No.17, who has contributed to 12 goals in his last 10 appearances (four goals and eight assists) in all competitions, is set to operate as an advanced midfielder on Tuesday having linked up brilliantly with star striker Erling Braut Haaland this season, and will look to occupy the pockets of space in which Modric will also be keen to take up when in possession.
Erling Braut Haaland vs. Antonio Rudiger & David Alaba
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Many defenders have struggled to keep Man City goal machine Erling Braut Haaland quiet throughout this season, but Ancelotti will hope that the centre-back pairing of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba can prevent the Norwegian from having any joy in the final third on Tuesday.
Haaland's record-breaking debut campaign for the Citizens has seen him score a remarkable 51 goals in just 46 games across all competitions, unsurprisingly more than any other player in Europe, including 12 strikes in eight Champions League matches – four more than his nearest challenger Mohamed Salah (eight) and eight more than Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema (four).
The 22-year-old was signed by Man City to win the Champions League, but his influence in attack could be put to the test by the aggressive presence of Rudiger, who is all but certain to start in central defence at the expense of Eder Militao, who is suspended for the first leg.
Rudiger has seamlessly settled into life at Real Madrid following his free transfer from Chelsea last summer, and the 30-year-old German possesses the athleticism, strength and experience to potentially cope with Haaland, while ball-playing defender Alaba can duly provide a calm and composed presence alongside him.
Read more on Real Madrid vs Manchester City
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- How Man City could line up against Real Madrid
- Combined XI: Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
- Champions League: Real Madrid vs. Manchester City top five meetings
- Champions League: Real Madrid's road to the semi-finals
- A closer look at Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final record
- Champions League: Man City's road to the semi-finals
- A closer look at Man City's Champions League semi-final record
Oliver Thomas
