Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne close in on major landmarks – Stat Preview: Manchester City vs Real Madrid (Champions League Semi-Final Second-Leg)

With the Premier League title all but wrapped up for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s side now turn their attentions to a crucial meeting with Real Madrid.

Manchester City square off against European heavyweights Real Madrid on Wednesday night for their UEFA Champions League semi-final second-leg at the Etihad Stadium, following a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital last week.

On their quest towards a second Champions League final in two years, Manchester City must overcome Carlo Ancelotti’s ever-impressive fourteen-time winners, Real Madrid with Italian giants Inter awaiting in a meeting in Istanbul.

In the first portion of 90 minutes, Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side the lead in the 36^th minute with a wonderful strike from outside the box. That lead lasted until the 67^th minute, when Kevin de Bruyne unleashed a fierce effort past Thibaut Courtois.

The Spanish side have struggled for La Liga form at times this season, as shown by Barcelona’s triumph in the last few days. That league form has not transferred to the Champions League as they have been imperious at times in this competition.

This puts Pep Guardiola’s team in a favourable position having avoided defeat in Spain and now having the home fans behind them as they look to dispatch of the Spanish giants on their own territory.

Ahead of the crunch second leg at the Etihad Stadium this week, here are all the important statistics and potential landmarks to look out for between Manchester City and Real Madrid!

Manchester City

• Manchester City have not lost in their previous 25 Champions League home matches, picking up 23 wins and two draws. Lyon were the last side to win at the Etihad Stadium back in September 2018.

• Manchester City have won every single home match in 2023 – 15 straight wins.

• Manchester City have scored at least twice in 14 of their 15 home wins in 2023.

• Manchester City have scored in every home match this season.

• The Etihad Stadium has seen on average 2.5 goals per game.

Real Madrid

• Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last two away fixtures in England during the knock-out phase of the Champions League.

• Carlo Ancelotti will manage his 191^st fixture in the Champions League – the most of any manager to coach in the competition.

• Real Madrid have only won three of their last six matches – one of them being a victory in the Copa del Rey final.

• Real Madrid average 1.8 goals scored per away game this season and concede an average of one goal per away match.

• Karim Benzema has scored 29 goals this season in 39 matches.

Previous Meetings

• Manchester City have been beaten just once by Real Madrid in their last five outings in the Champions League.

• Between 2012 and 2016, Real Madrid were unbeaten in the four meetings between the sides – picking up two wins and two draws.

• Real Madrid have failed to win in the last four away games at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League (D2, L2).

• The two sides faced each other in 2016 at the same stage of this competition. Real Madrid won their home leg 1-0 and drew 0-0 away.

Potential Landmarks

• Kyle Walker is closing in on 250 Manchester City appearances.

• Erling Haaland is reducing the gap to 50 appearances for Manchester City.

• Kevin de Bruyne is closing in on 100 goals for Manchester City.