Real Madrid News
Real Madrid backed to break Man City’s treble dreams by Premier League legend
Following a winning stretch that helped them move ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League, Manchester City are now staring at the possibility of winning the treble – the first English team to do so in a while.
The Champions League, admittedly, will be the toughest nut to crack for the Premier League champions, especially given the way Pep Guardiola’s men have faltered in the competition over the past few years.
Their job will be made even more difficult by Real Madrid – their opponent in the semifinals. In fact, according to Ian Wright (h/t Diario AS), Real Madrid are the team to beat for Man City if they are to secure the treble this season.
Speaking on a football talk show, the former Arsenal striker backed Real Madrid to break City’s treble dreams, stating, “Look at Real Madrid! If there is a team that can disrupt this achievement, it is Real Madrid.”
Wright admitted Real Madrid’s poor performance in La Liga, but suggested they are a different breed in the Champions League. “What a club! I’m sure they’re upset about what happened in the league, but when it comes to the Champions League with them, it’s hard to beat them,” he said.
Real Madrid are certainly enjoying an excellent Champions League campaign this season, notably breaking apart two English sides Chelsea and Liverpool in the knockout rounds.
However, Manchester City are certainly the toughest of the three, boasting an incredibly strong team led by some of the most talented players in world football. Another former Arsenal figure Arsene Wenger has already backed the English champions to do well, due to their defensive solidity.
It promises to be an eye-watering fixture, as these two European giants take each other on in the Champions League semifinals next week.
Real Madrid have officially announced the first departure of the 2022/23 season as Marco Asensio leaves the club on a free transfer. The Spaniard was part of the Madrid setup for eight years, and leaves with three Champions Leagues and La Ligas to his name.
With Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Eden Hazard in the team, Asensio was the only winger in the team who preferred to play on the right rather than on the left. His left-footedness was also crucial for this.
Madrid will now have to assess the market for replacements, even though they will be handed one themselves in the summer in the form of Brahim Diaz. The Spaniard finishes his loan spell at AC Milan in the summer, and will return to Madrid.
Madrid will have to make a final call on his future, but as of now, are ready to discuss a new long-term deal for and with Diaz, as per a report published by Fabrizio Romano. The extension will be valid until 2027.
Diaz, now 23, initially joined Real Madrid from Manchester City in 2019, completing a €18 million move in the search of game-time. Six appearances in six months later, though, he moved to AC Milan on loan, and has been there since.
However, getting him to stay at Madrid will be difficult, as the player evidently wants to continue at Milan for the foreseeable future. He even suggested his desire to continue in a recent interview.
“I’m happy here at Milan. I feel very good at this club, then I don’t know what is going to happen. I kissed the badge because that’s what I felt at that moment,” he said.
They want him to replace Asensio at the Santiago Bernabeu, but will not force him to stay if he wants to leave.
