Two of Europe’s biggest sides will go head-to-head on Thursday when Manchester City take on Real Madrid in Melbourne as part of the International Champions Cup.
City kicked off their pre-season and ICC tournament in style with a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over Italian giants AS Roma. They looked on course for victory after new £49million signing Raheem Sterling and talented young striker Kelechi Iheanacho gave them a narrow 2-1 lead over the Serie A side.
However, a late equaliser ensured proceedings had to be settled with a tense penalty shootout. Joe Hart proved to be hero, saving two consecutive penalties as well as netting one of his own, in some style to give the Sky Blues a 5-4 win.
A grudge to bear for Pellegrini
Manager Manuel Pellegrini will not be fazed by the outcome of the match as he is using these friendly games to make sure his squad are up to scratch ahead of the big kick-off against West Brom on August 10th. However, there will be an incentive there for the Chilean as he looks to get one over on his former employers.
He was brought in to the Bernabeú in the summer of 2009 bringing Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso into the club. However after a season which delivered no silverware, it ultimately lead to him been dismissed the summer after.
Madrid looking for their first win
Madrid’s newest managerial appointment Rafael Benitez will be looking to improve on the result of his opening match, after they suffered defeat to Roma in their opening ICC match going down to penalties after a goalless draw in Melbourne.
Despite the shaky start, former Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos has given his backing to the former; Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli man.
The German believes that the Galacticos have got a “good chance” of “winning titles” under the Spaniard and is hopeful that the side can have a “good year”. Fans will be hopeful that the good year that the 25-year-old spoke of will begin with a victory over the former Premier League champions.
Team news
City’s £24million striker Wilfried Bony remains out of action through injury whilst Pablo Zabaleta and talismanic striker Sergio Aguero are yet to meet up with the squad after their Copa America campaign with Argentina, where they finished runners-up to host nation Chile. Sterling and Iheanacho are also expected to keep their places in the side having impressed in the previous match.
Madrid have no real fitness concerns within their squad but; Karim Benzema, Kroos and Isco could all be in line for a place in the starting line-up having been named on the bench in the defeat to Roma.