Champions League .. Manchester City hungry for the first final in its history
Manchester City is seeking to reach the final of the European Champions League football competition for the first time in its history when it hosts tomorrow, Tuesday, the "Etihad" stadium in Manchester, in the second leg of the semi-final, Paris Saint-Germain, the French aspiring to reach it for the second time in a row.
The English team has the advantage of a precious win outside the rules 2-1 last Wednesday at the "Parc des Princes" in the second semi-final round in its history after the first 2015-2016 season before it was eliminated by Real Madrid, Spain, knowing that at that time it qualified at the expense of the Parisian team. They tied 2-2 in the French capital and won 1-0 in Manchester.
It is the third time that the two teams meet continental after the first in the group stage of the European Cup competition in the 2008-2009 season (a negative tie), and the second in the quarter-finals of the prestigious continental competition in the 2015-2016 season (a 2-2 draw in Paris and City won 1-0 Back in Manchester), and the third in the semi-finals of the same competition this season, in which the English team decided its first season in Paris.
The excitement between the two teams will be renewed Tuesday in the light of the stars that teem with their ranks, led by experienced coaches who know each other well: Pep Guardiola from the side of City, and Argentine Mauresbo Pochettino from the opposite side.
Manchester City is counting on the strength of its collective game to curb the power of the stars of Saint-Germain Mbappe, Neymar and Di Maria.
On the eve of the match, Guardiola said, "The semi-final second leg is always the most difficult match, more difficult than the final. We have to control our feelings to do what we have to do."
Manchester City's strength as a group was evident in its 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday in the domestic league and being close to winning the title for the third time in four years.
City won despite Guardiola making eight adjustments to the squad that won back from the French capital, by involving Argentine Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, Brazilians Gabriel Giusos and Fernandinho, Spain's Ferran Torres and French Emeric Laporte as key after they spent a full 90 minutes on the bench at the Parc de Prince stadium. "Four days ago.
On the other hand, the promising international striker, Kylian Mbappe, will be one of the winning cards for Pochettino at the Etihad Stadium, especially after the latter confirmed his readiness to play the match after his injury in the previous calf in the match against Lens (2-1) Saturday in the domestic league.
"We have watched his condition day by day since he was injured. I think he can play," said Pochettino, seeking a second final in his coaching career after the first with Tottenham, the year before the last (losing to Liverpool).
Pochettino appeared optimistic about tomorrow's match, citing his players ’achievement in the price and quarter-finals when they toppled the Catalan giants Barcelona and the Bavarian Bayern Munich, the title holder.
"At the tactical and mental level, the team will be ready for a new battle. After that, it is the idea of the football that will decide whether we deserve to reach the final or not," he added.
Neymar, in turn, showed his heels high on Saturday by scoring a goal with a decisive pass, directing a warning to City's defense.
"We have to believe in our abilities, regardless of what the statistics say or the percentage of our chances of winning," the Brazilian said in a statement to the club channel.
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