Without a doubt, the Etihad will prove to be the biggest challenge for Real Madrid this season. Los Blancos have all but done what they needed to do domestically, but the European stage remains truly alive. While Real Madrid are now favorites to win La Liga by a landslide, they must also take on Manchester City in England.
However, the worst part about facing the Citizens right now, beyond just their obvious quality and immense pedigree, is the fact that the upcoming second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals will take place at the Etihad Stadium of all places.
The reason behind this being a rather unpleasant occurrence for Real Madrid has recently been highlighted by Mundo Deportivo. Los Blancos, over the course of the last decade or so at least, have been generally unsuccessful whenever they have tried to take on Manchester City at the home ground of the Blues from England.
Over the course of their last three visits to the Etihad, in fact, Real Madrid have suffered defeats on all occasions. Moreover, they have failed to secure even a singular victory over the course of their last five visits to the home of Manchester City.
Other English Stadiums have proven to be far more kind to Los Blancos. Venues such as Anfield, or Stamford Bridge, for instance, have seen Real Madrid prevail on various occasions. The Etihad, however, continues to be a fortress that is particularly unforgiving towards the record Champions League winners.
Last season’s defeat in the semi-finals stage to Manchester City at the Etihad was a particularly embarrassing memory for Real Madrid. A 4-0 humiliation is something that fuels the players of Los Blancos even today, as they look to finally get a victory over the Citizens despite their strong record at the Etihad and also regardless of Madrid’s own poor success rate at the same stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men will look to change their fate at this ‘cursed’ stadium for them. On the other end of things, whichever team ends up winning between Bayern Munich or Arsenal will be the opponent that the winner from this upcoming encounter at the Etihad will face, and Real Madrid will want to be that victor.
