MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City celebrates with teammate Ruben Dias after scoring their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Manchester, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Jason Cairnduff - Pool/Getty Images)
Real Madrid came out victorious in a splendid, nail-biting display of football in the 2nd leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Los Blancos gave Chelsea fans hope only to snatch it from right under their noses in a matter of minutes. It was a typical Champions League night, as the team in the white head on to the semi-finals for the tenth time in the last 12 years.
Manchester City edged past Atletico Madrid following a heated clash, as they match up with Real Madrid to set up another Champions League classic. The biggest hurdle of the season awaits Real Madrid, with them facing arguably the best side in the world.
The English team is ideally balanced, has a petrifying depth, and is led by one of the greatest tacticians of our time. A possession-centric team, blended with a sound defensive structure is menacing on all fronts. Against teams managed by Pep, catching them on the break is the way to go. That’s not going to come effortlessly this time around. Real Madrid will have to come out all guns blazing against Champions League favorites.
Here are three terrifying City players who should make it imperative for Real Madrid to keep them in check.
Ruben Dias
Ruben Dias has recovered from his hamstring injury, and the timing isn’t very good. The Portuguese center-back was lauded as the best in the world last season, deservedly so. It was one of the finest individual campaigns I’ve ever seen from a center-back. He still is one of the best in his position this season, and Real Madrid’s forwards are going to have a problematic time getting through him. Karim Benzema, in particular, has a big task ahead of him.
What sets Ruben Dias aside from other center-backs is his ball-playing ability. For a team like City that likes to build up from the back, he is pivotal. His aerial prowess, on the other hand, is also ominous. Considering how Chelsea dominated Real Madrid in the air, particularly in set pieces, Ruben Dias will be a menace.
Dias accounts for 1.27 tackles and 2.95 clearances per 90 in the Premier League this season according to FBRef. Additionally, he has a pressure success rate of 45%. He’s a fundamental asset for a team that follows sustained pressing.
Ruben poses a massive threat, offensively and defensively. He, alongside Laporte, would be a tough wall to break.
