Home Football Rico Lewis Set for Ultimate Challenge Against Vinicius Jnr, as Rodri Aims to Contain Jude Bellingham in Santiago Bernabeu Showdown

Rico Lewis Set for Ultimate Challenge Against Vinicius Jnr, as Rodri Aims to Contain Jude Bellingham in Santiago Bernabeu Showdown

Football — 04/09/2024

Real Madrid is attempting to thwart Pep Guardiola’s ambitious goals, which presents Manchester City with its greatest obstacle to date in their endeavor to pull off an unbelievable second consecutive Treble.

Tuesday night will be City’s third straight season at the Santiago Bernabeu; the English team will be looking to win their first Champions League trophy, having drawn their previous year.

Manchester City's quest to pull off an unthinkable second successive Treble faces its biggest challenge yet

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Real Madrid are seeking to avenge their previous semi-final defeat by Man City last season

The competition’s record holder, Jude Bellingham, who has been a star since relocating to the Spanish city last summer, will be motivated to exact reve𝚗ge for their previous semi-final loss.

Due to ιnjury, Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are unlikely to play for City on their difficult trip to Madrid, creating a defensive problem.

Chris Sutton of Mail Sport is in charge of the three matches that have the potential to either make or break the tie.

RICO LEWIS against VINCIUS JUNIOR

Lewis will have the hardest test of his career as the backup right-back in lieu of the injured Kyle Walker.

Rico Lewis faces the toughest test of his career as the replacement right back for Man City

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Kyle Walker played out an entertaining battle against Vinicius Jnr in last season's competition

Lewis, a 19-year-old who is calm and collected when he has the ball, may occasionally assume an inverted position in accordance with Pep Guardiola’s style. However, he will be put to the test defensively against one of the game’s most lethal dribblers.

Those one-on-ones at the Bernabeu on Tuesday will be very important. In Real Madrid’s most recent Champions League match against RB Leipzig, Jude Bellingham’s sprint inside from the left helped Vinicius score a lovely goal.

RODRI against JUDE BELLINGHAM

Real Madrid will need to interrupt Rodri’s 65-game unbeaten streak if they hope to prevent City from sailing into their fourth straight Champions League semifinal.

If Real Madrid are to stop City then they will have to end the 65-game unbeaten run of Rodri

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Jude Bellingham will be key for Madrid against City

The fact that he missed all four of City’s losses this season across all competitions is not by аccident. Rodri is the finest at putting an end to attacks, but he can also initiate them. Now, he must restrain the game’s most talented player.

There have been 20 goals scored by the experienced Bellingham thus far this season, and I predict some physical altercations between him and Rodri.

ERLING HAALAND vs ANTONIO RUDIGER

Rudiger is one of the most physically inclined center backs I have ever seen. I’m sure he will take that as a complement because he is one of those tough defenders who enjoys carrying out the grunt job.

City's superstar striker Erling Haaland should expect a total scrap at the Santiago Bernabeu

the tackles. The building blocks. The fights. Rudiger will give Haaland a complete scrap, so the City forward must be willing to give it his all.

Given the attention that has been on Haaland since the quiet game he had against Arsenal, now would be the perfect time for him to put on a strong performance.