"He has to be the answer there" - Ex-Manchester City star names 'perfect' player who can help Guardiola nullify Vinicius threat against Real Madrid
Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown has advised Pep Guardiola to pick Kyle Walker as his right-back in his side’s upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Brown believes that Walker’s pace could help the Cityzens keep the threat of Vinicius Junior at bay.
Manchester City will travel to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Real Madrid on Tuesday night (9 May). City met Madrid in last season’s Champions League semi-finals as well, with the Spaniards securing a 6-5 aggregate victory on that occasion.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are arguably the best in the business when it comes to hitting on the counter-attack. And Brown believes Guardiola must find a way to stop Vinicius Junior to keep the 14-time European champions from coming out on top on Tuesday. In his BBC column, the former Sheffield United star wrote:
“The first game [4-3 for City in Manchester] was very open when they met last year but, this time, we might see City start out by trying to be tighter defensively.
“That means keeping Vinicius Jr quiet and I think the two big decisions Pep Guardiola has to make are who will go up against the Brazil winger on the right for City, and who will play further forward on the same flank.”
He added:
“The choice in defense is really between Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji, but if Nathan Ake does not recover from the injury he sustained against Leeds on Saturday then it is possible Pep's mind will be made up for him.
“He could go with the experience of Aymeric Laporte at left-back but I have a feeling he will pick Akanji because of how well he did against Bukayo Saka when he played there in last month's 4-1 win over Arsenal.”
Brown added:
“But he [Guardiola] will be worried about their threat on the counter through Vinicius.
“Walker's speed is the obvious way to deal with that and, as a natural full-back, I feel he has to be the answer there, whether Akanji is needed to cover for Ake or not.”
Vinicius Junior has been one of Real Madrid’s best players this season, regularly pitching in with important goals and assists. The Brazilian left-winger has featured in 50 games for the All Whites in the 2022-23 season, scoring 22 times, and providing 21 assists.
Luis Figo sees Manchester City as favorites in Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid
Former Real Madrid star Luis Figo reckons Manchester City are the favorites to proceed to this year’s Champions League final. The Portugal icon, however, has warned Manchester City not to take Madrid lightly, as they will not stop trying until the last blast of the whistle.
Speaking at an interview, Figo said (via Mundo Deportivo):
“City plays against the best club in history in the European Cup and there are times when history has its weight. City are favourites, but Madrid are always alive until the end in matches. It will be a nice semi-final to watch.”
Manchester City and Real Madrid have squared off eight times in the Champions League. Madrid and City have bagged three wins each and played out two draws.