The epic scenario of the first leg, won 4-3 by City a week ago at the Etihad Stadium, is still etched in all memories.

But after Paris SG in the 8th, after Chelsea in the quarters, the Madrid Kings of Europe and their attacking leader Karim Benzema will still have to knock down a mountain to touch their fourteenth continental crown with their fingertips.

Presentation of the 2021-2022 Champions League semi-final second leg, Real Madrid vs Manchester City Vincent LEFAI AFP

"See you on Wednesday!" Shouted Carlo Ancelotti at the microphone in front of the crowd, on the Cibeles fountain, the traditional square of Real's evenings of glory, after the 35th title of Spanish Champion gleaned on Saturday against Espanyol (4 -0).

French striker Karim Benzema and Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid, during the celebration of the 35th Spanish league title, April 30, 2022 in Madrid, after the victory at home against Espanyol OSCAR DEL POZO AFP

Despite the questions surrounding the relevance of a celebration four days before a European summit like the one awaiting the "White House" against City on Wednesday, the Italian coach did not hesitate for a second.

Ancelotti v Guardiola

"Matches like Wednesday are also prepared by being filled with joy. We have to celebrate, it's good for the mind. We have to enjoy it. If there's one thing I've learned at this club, it's "Is that he never stops. He always looks straight ahead, towards a next victory. And we have to celebrate something else at the end of the season," slipped Ancelotti at the final whistle on Saturday.

"We know we can come back, we have confidence in ourselves. We have to prove that we are Real Madrid, the best team in the world. The history of this club plays in our favour. We never surrender", harangued Luka Modric on Tuesday at a press conference.

Madrid fans are waiting for this.

"Kings of Europe, we are the Kings of Europe", chanted the Santiago-Bernabéu stadium in the final minutes of the game against Espanyol Barcelona when the La Liga title had just been secured.

It is however a luminary of European football who arrives in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola, the man who did so much harm to the "White House" when he was in charge of the almighty Barça between 2008 and 2012, returns to the Bernabéu to try to rally a second consecutive final after the lost one last year against Chelsea... and trying to finally win a Champions League with a club other than Barcelona.

Manchester City's Spanish coach Pep Guardiola greets his Italian Real Madrid counterpart Carlo Ancelotti before the Champions League semi-final first leg on April 26, 2022 at the Etihad Stadium Oli SCARFF AFP/Archives

The memory of the terrible 6-2 inflicted by his Barça on Real Madrid during a clasico in May 2009 is still vivid in the collective memory of Merengue supporters, who joined the rare aficionados of Espanyol (neighbor and rival of Barça in Barcelona) present at the stadium on Saturday to insult the hated coach in absentia.

Benzema, expected prince

Also winning by the same score of 4-0 on Saturday against Leeds in the league, City has not yet sealed its Premier League title, far from it: the showdown with Liverpool is ongoing, before, perhaps, an Anglo-English final in the Champions League final on May 29 at the Stade de France.

The joy of Manchester City's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (d), congratulated by midfielder Phil Foden, after scoring the 3rd goal against Leeds, during the 35th day of the Premier League, April 30, 2022 at the Stade d 'Ellan Road Oli SCARFF AFP/Archives

However, two players are likely to miss this continental meeting followed by the whole football planet: David Alaba, released at half-time at the Etihad, did not train Monday and Tuesday morning with the rest of the Madrid group, and he is almost ruled out for the return match.

"He can't play, he's not ready," confirmed Carlo Ancelotti on Tuesday, who should therefore start Nacho alongside Eder Militao in central defense.

Real Madrid's Austrian defender David Alaba (d), during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City, on April 26, 2022 at the Etihad Stadium Oli SCARFF AFP / Archives

The other two absentees from the merengue collective session were Gareth Bale, still injured in the back, and Eden Hazard, in full recovery.

Citizen side, Nathan Aké took a bad blow to an ankle on Saturday, and is uncertain for Wednesday.

Despite the absentees, the grand prince expected by the Bernabéu is none other than Karim Benzema: the French center-forward, big favorite for the Ballon d'Or which will be awarded in September or October, has continued to carry Real Madrid on his shoulders all season.

And her end-of-year exam is coming up on Wednesday.

© 2022 AFP