Why Sergio Ramos vs. Sergio Aguero Is Key Real Madrid vs. Manchester City Battle

Manchester City’s preparations for the biggest game of their season haven’t been ideal. They face Real Madrid on Wednesday in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final and are well placed to make it to the final.

But unlike the serene preparations ahead of the first leg, where they beat Stoke City 4-0 and rarely got out of third gear, this time they lost 4-2 at Southampton and were run ragged for 90 minutes, hammered in emphatic style.

It was, admittedly, a much-changed side—but City were so abject, it must have worried their fans.

A number of their fringe players were selected to play at St. Mary’s Stadium, an opportunity to play themselves into Manuel Pellegrini’s starting XI in Madrid. Only Kelechi Iheanacho—a 19-year-old with limited experience—made the manager take note, as he scored two in a ruthlessly efficient display.

City travel to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium having secured a 0-0 draw in the home game last week. It was a decent result. Stopping Real from scoring was perhaps their primary objective, although Zinedine Zidane’s side played so within themselves in the first half, a feeling of regret permeated the Etihad Stadium at full-time. Was it an opportunity missed?

Cristiano Ronaldo has been struggling with a thigh complaint since coming off in the recent win over Rayo Vallecano and missed the first leg. He trained on Tuesday morning and looks set to feature, but City will be hoping he isn’t fully fit. Few players can wield as much influence as he can, particularly in this competition where his goalscoring record is unrivalled.

Cristiano Ronaldo training with Real Madrid this morning. pic.twitter.com/ph3DVUbR0f

— Jonathan Smith (@jonnysmiffy) May 3, 2016

The key for City is whether or not they can score. Sergio Aguero, who was rested at the weekend, is their principle goalscorer. Do their hopes of progressing to the final in Milan rest on the Argentinian’s shoulders?

His battle with Sergio Ramos is likely to be crucial. Despite his disciplinary issues, the Spain international is one of the finest defenders in the world. He reads the game superbly well, is good in the air, comfortable in …

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