This trophy is in Real’s DNA. Look at the comebacks they’ve had
focused on a Treble.” Pep Guardiola and his stars were tipped to break their Champions League duck last season, but Madrid’s unique history in the competition led to heartbreak for City.
“It’s in Madrid’s DNA,” said Mcmanaman. “They count the Champions League as more important than the league.
“Atletico Madrid have overtaken them in La Liga, but that doesn’t mean that much as long as they win in Europe.
“I thought last season the game would be a bridge too far for Madrid, but they got the job done.
“You’d say, with Erling Haaland in superb form, City have improved and have more experience, so you’d have them as favourites. Madrid are letting in a lot of goals, so how Eder Militao handles Haaland will be one of the key battles. “In midfield, who will pick up Kevin De Bruyne? Luka Modric likes to play a bit further forward, so it may be Toni Kroos. “Since they beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey, Ancelotti has switched from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 and I expect that formation on Tuesday, with Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo either side of Benzema. “But City are so dominant they just need to get over the line on one occasion and win this trophy.” Guardiola won it three times with Barcelona, but has failed so far at City and previous club Bayern Munich. Mcmanaman added: “Madridistas won’t feel Pep needs to win it at City to achieve something, they’re not bitter fans and they’ve seen him win it before.
“It’s more in our country where we view it as, ‘Oh my God, he needs to win it’. It’s like Frankie Dettori winning the Derby or Tony Mccoy the Grand National. It stops people mentioning it again, but, for me, it’s nonsense.
“This is the year City can scratch that itch and win, but it won’t be a changing of the guard.
“You can’t make that assumption when you are playing against Madrid – because they find ways to win it.” ■