Will Madrid ‘madness’ deny ‘City Goal’ again?

GBDESK//

Depicted on the wall of Manchester City’s treatment room, ‘Our Goal’ is written over a picture of the Champions League trophy — a silverware that has eluded the blue half of Manchester despite billions of dollars splurged into shaping up their squad over the years.

The aforementioned picture uploaded by Jack Grealish on BeReal, a French social media app, might have laid bare what could have remained concealed but it is hardly a surprise to see the Champions League being City’s primary objective for the season.

However, blocking their path at the penultimate hurdle are a Spanish giants in Real Madrid, a side that went on to lift their record-extending 14th European silverware by crushing hopes of City players and fans in the cruellest fashion just about a year ago.

In a repeat of last season’s Champions League semifinal, Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid once again face Pep Guardiola’s City in the last four. This time though, the first leg will be hosted by the defending champions on Tuesday midnight.

When the Cityzens walk through the tunnel of the Santiago Bernabeu, surely, they will be reminded how despair and disbelief had eventually engulfed them a year ago at this very arena despite having been the superior side for around 180 minutes across the two legs — both in terms of goals and overall chances created.