In less than 24 hours, one of Real Madrid and Manchester City will feel the confetti rolling over their shoulders. Indeed, the clash between the two European sides is only a semifinal, but the sheer quality of football in the tie has been nothing less than a grand finale.

The winner on Wednesday night will be the undisputed favourite to take home the UEFA Champions League. In either case, a special storyline awaits – an incredible title defence for Real Madrid or a special first for the Blues.

Manchester City may have the home advantage on the night, but Real Madrid are the perennial favourite in the UCL for their sheer determination and ability to turn up when required. The game at Etihad will be the biggest fixture in club football this season, and the hype is justified.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Manchester City vs Real Madrid.

1. A clash of champions

The ninety minutes of football that graced the Santiago Bernabeu last week had every supporter on the edge of their seat. The prospect of Europe’s two best teams taking on each other had generated great expectations and it is safe to say that it did not disappoint.

The game may not have had goals aplenty, but that was not for a dearth of trying. Very little separated the two teams on the night and the low-scoring encounter was the result of an equally weighted attack and defence balancing each other out on both halves of the field.

The two European giants now take each other on for the second time in two weeks. Once again, they begin with parity on the scoreline but do not have the luxury of a cushion to fall back on this time around.

Nothing less than a win will suffice for Carlo Ancelotti’s men heading into the away leg of a difficult tie. The final promises a relatively easier outing and a win tomorrow could go a long way in assuring the Merengues of a title defence.

All eyes will thus be on Ancelotti tomorrow as to what strategy he brings to the Etihad. Going by Manchester City’s style of play, however, one could expect a more defensive and cautious approach with the hope of striking gold on the counter.

2. The Militao muddle

When Eder Militao was ruled out of the first leg against the Premier League champions, many gave Manchester City the edge over Real Madrid. After all, such has been the influence of the Brazilian international on Real Madrid’s defence from both a consistency and leadership point of view.

Ancelotti thus opted to start his next-best duo of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba on the night. In the ninety minutes that followed, the German-Austrian combination belittled the visitors’ attack with precise tackles and wonderful reading of the game.

Now, Ancelotti faces a dilemma. Militao’s availability would normally place him as one of the first names on the team sheet. Yet, to change a tried and tested formula might prove suicidal in a game of such tight margins.

Moreover, Militao’s form in recent games has been far from convincing. One is specifically reminded of the Brazilian’s gift to Real Sociedad in La Liga not so long ago and the 4-2 thrashing to Girona.

There have been talks of starting all three defenders to build a wall around Erling Haaland but it appears that such a drastic change will not be made at a critical stage in the competition. Needless to say, a lot rides on Ancelotti’s selection of the centre-back department on Wednesday night.

3. Ancelotti’s trump card

One of Real Madrid’s most improved players under Ancelotti has been Eduardo Camavinga. The Frenchman has seen a steep bullish period for his stocks this season and has been rapidly progressing from strength to strength.

The left-back situation, however, has tied him down to a position he would not normally play at. Given the team’s acute shortage of options, Camavinga has been forced to operate on the left of defence repeatedly this season and has thus seen his productivity decrease.

The youngster has now become an experienced campaigner at left-back. His special display in the first leg is a testament to the same, given that he effectively controlled Bernardo Silva down his flank and weakened the English team’s attack.

On Wednesday, the Frenchman could finally feature in the middle of the park for Los Blancos. Ferland Mendy’s return from injury frees him from the unconventional position, and Camavinga could thus be Ancelotti’s trump card.

The youngster is expected to start alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in midfield and will be a key pillar in progressing the ball forward on the break. Further, his work rate off the ball will give Real Madrid a big advantage in the midfield battle.