Former Real Madrid and Manchester City winger Steve McManaman believes Manchester City are the favorites to progress to the Champions League semi-finals after a 3-3 first leg draw at the Santiago Bernabeu. McManaman, who played for both clubs, thinks City will come out on top due to their current form and status as holders. He pointed out City’s recent victories over Real Madrid and doubts Madrid’s strength compared to City.
McManaman also believes City are on track to achieve a second consecutive treble after winning the Premier League and FA Cup last year. Despite some skepticism, he always believed City had the potential to reach this stage of the competition. He highlighted the importance of being at the top of the league and in contention for multiple trophies as a sign of a top team, which he sees in City and their manager Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola’s team faces Real Madrid at the Etihad for the second leg, with a strong chance of progressing based on past performance and current form. McManaman emphasized City’s scoring ability against Madrid in previous encounters and expects them to do well in the upcoming match. While he acknowledged that Madrid may improve in the future, he still sees City as the stronger team at the moment.
In addition to their Champions League aspirations, City are also leading the Premier League and are in a good position to challenge for the FA Cup, potentially replicating last year’s treble. McManaman praised City’s consistency and ability to compete at the highest level, which has put them in contention for multiple trophies. He pointed out that this stage of the competition is where the top teams excel, and City’s presence there is no surprise.
The Official England Sticker Collection Tournament Edition 2024, featuring McManaman as a Legend, was launched to celebrate his contribution to English football. He reflected on City’s success and their current dominance in English football, expressing confidence in their ability to continue winning trophies. McManaman’s insights into City’s potential success in the Champions League and beyond highlight his belief in their capabilities and Guardiola’s leadership.
Overall, McManaman’s analysis points to Manchester City as the team to beat in the Champions League and beyond, with their strong performance, consistency, and success in multiple competitions. City’s form, scoring ability, and manager make them the favorites against Real Madrid and potential winners in both the Champions League and domestic competitions, according to McManaman’s assessment.
