MANCHESTER City last night failed to make good use of home advantage in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi final as she was held to a goalless draw at the Etihad by Real Madrid.
The encounter was one in which Nigerian teenage international Kelechi Iheanacho saw 50 mniutes of action having been brought in late in the first half substituting David Silva.
The match was to a large extent drab as both sides created very few chances.
Real who was without Ronaldo however grew stronger as the game wore on but did not do enough to carry the day.
Meanwhile, Pep Guadiola’s compelling attack and Diego Simeone’s tough defense will be put to test when Bayern Munich and Athletico Madrid meet in the Champions League semi-finals today at the Vicente Caldron .
Atheletico have won their last six games in all competitions, while Guardiola and his men are unbeaten since March 3.
The aim for both sides clash tonight is to gain an advantage ahead of the return leg at the Allianz Arena in a week’s time.
Simeone has transformed Atletico into a dominant force in Europe over the last few years, particularly as he has managed to break into the elite of La Liga, which used to be shared solely between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Atletico are currently level on 82 points with league leaders Barcelona, while their local rivals Real sit one point behind in third position.
It is no secret that Atletico pride themselves on their defensive qualities as they have conceded just four goals in Simeone’s 16 Champions League matches in charge, but they are facing a German club that have only failed to score in four of their games during the entire season.
Atletico can draw on the fact that they have never lost at home in a European Cup semi-final, of which they have been part of five, as they have won three and drawn one.
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