Arsene Wenger predicts outcome of UEFA Champions League semifinal between Real Madrid and Manchester City
Arsene Wenger thinks Manchester City will beat Real Madrid and face AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.
The Cityzens advanced to the semifinals following a 1-1 draw (4-1 aggregate win) against Bayern Munich on Wednesday (April 19). Pep Guardiola's men controlled the tie and will be the slight favourites against Madrid.
Los Merengues booked their place in the last four with a comfortable 2-0 (4-0 aggregate) win over Chelsea on Tuesday. That means Manchester City and Madrid will clash in the semifinals for the second straight season.
Meanwhile, AC Milan meet Inter Milan in the other semifinal. Legendary former Arsenal manager Wenger has backed City and the Rossoneri to prevail, telling BeIN Sports.
"I would say at the moment I would give Milan a little advantage and City a little advantage. Because of their defensive stability and maybe because Real Madrid is a little more vulnerable defensively."
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been on fire, scoring 12 goals in eight Champions League games this season. He is the competition's top scorer this term, but Wenger also acknowledged the threat Madrid pose:
"But Real Madrid is Real Madrid; they can score against anybody, and that is why this is very open."
City clash with Los Blancos in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 9 before hosting the reigning champions at the Etihad eight days later. The European heavyweights played out an enthraling semifinal last season, with Carlo Ancelotti's men winning 6-5 on aggregate.
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva confident of exacting revenge over Real Madrid
Bernardo Silva spoke after Manchester City's chances against Real Madrid. The Portuguese attacker reflected on last season's collapse against the 14-time European champions (via Planet Football):
"Hopefully, yes. We will go for it definitely. We always go for it, but we feel the team is very, very confident at the minute. I think we are going through."
The Cityzens were on course to reach the final, as they were 5-3 up on aggregate against Madrid till the 90th minute of the second leg. Two stoppage-time goals from Rodrygo and another from Karim Benzema in extra time stunned Guardiola's men.
However, this City side is a different beast, toying with a Bayern team that has been impressive in Europe this season. They;re also eyeing a potential treble, as they trail Arsenal by four points in the Premier League with a game in hand. Guardiola's side are also in the FA Cup semifinals, where they face Sheffield United on Saturday (April 22).