Everything that happened in the Champions League during the evening of April 9 remains a memorable chapter - eight days later the planet dreams of a replay, two more soccer spectacles that will be retold.
It's time for the rematch, it's time for Europe to get the last two participants of the semi-finals - Manchester City and Real will meet on the Island after the atomic 3:3 draw from Madrid, while after the 2:2 draw with the "Emirates" in Munich, Bayern and Arsenal will meet . Both duels start at 21:XNUMX.
There is no doubt that great football will bring a clash in Bavaria, but the whole planet looks first of all to the north-west of England, to the match between the current champions of the continent and the club that has ruled it for the longest time in history.
In City, they probably wish for a similar epilogue as last season in the semi-finals - the chosen ones Pep Guardiola after a draw in Madrid (1:1), they outclassed the "royal club" in the second leg with 4:0 and later won the Champions League.
Silva: Reaction stronger than last season
- I wouldn't go back too much into the past - I think that Real is stronger now, I got that feeling during the first duel. We are playing against the kings of this competition, so we will see what we are ready for - emphasized City's midfielder Bernardo Silva at the press conference before the rematch.
During the weekend, Real recorded another triumph in La Liga against Mallorca in the Balearic Islands (1:0), a Karlo Ancelots was resting before the match of the season Rodrigo, Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Kamavinga i Daniel Carvajal, although they (except Rodrigo) also played in the second half.
- We can only win the match against City with the right attitude, not with physical preparation and the fact that someone rested more - Ancelotti pointed out.
And one of the greatest coaches of all time knows that it will be hellishly difficult for today's best teams on the field, but...
- I think the fans should believe in us, because we certainly believe that we can reach the semi-finals. Would it have been easier if we had come to Manchester with an advantage from the first match? Probably, but even that would not affect our approach to the rematch - said the Italian.
What may worry Real fans is the fact that their team has never beaten City at the Etihad, although they were defeated only last year. Apart from that duel, these rivals played two more times, and those matches ended in draws.
- If we think about what happened last season - that's not it. In order to be right in such competitions, we must always be hungry for victories and big games. We have to be ready and suffer, because there is no team in the world that can always dominate. No two matches are the same, and especially no two similar seasons - said Guardiola.
Bayern - Arsenal: Knocked out or wounded giant?
On the weekend, after 11 years, Bayern officially handed over the title to Bayer, and Arsenal, with an unexpected defeat at home against Aston Villa, gave City the leading position in the Premier League table.
Two giants, one knocked out in his country and the other wounded, will meet "eye to eye" for a place among the four best teams in Europe. The first match and 2:2 from London guarantee another spectacle.
- This is a great chance to make the season come alive in front of our fans. We have many experienced players who have played matches like this, so I believe we can give a great result - Arsenal's "eternal rival" pointed out. Harry Kane.
On the other hand, Mikel Arteta will do everything to make his players forget the defeat against Villa.
- We are facing an opportunity that this club has not seen for 14 years, and that is to go to the semi-finals of the Champions League. I don't think it could have come at a better time - the Arsenal manager is clear.
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