In a bid to win their first Champions League trophy, Manchester City are set to take on Spanish giants Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Wednesday (12:30 AM IST). City have made a considerable investment in their team and after winning all the available trophies in England multiple times, their sights are now set on Europe's biggest footballing prize.
The seven-time English Champions are neck-deep in a fight for a second consecutive Premier League (PL) trophy as well, battling it out with England's other heavyweights Liverpool. The Reds take on Villarreal in the second semifinal fixture at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool on Thursday (12:30 AM IST).
With both teams fighting for the PL title as well, former City and Liverpool defender Mark Seagraves believes that although fatigue might give the two Spanish teams an added advantage, he expects the English teams to pull through.
"When these teams are playing like they are on a roll, the games cannot come quick enough for them because they want to play, win and then get to the next game. It will affect the way that the players are because the fatigue will set in. These are proper players in terms of knowing the game.
"But there might be an opportunity for both the Spanish teams to look at the matches and think 'okay, they may be a little jaded' but I personally believe that they are on a roll and they cannot wait for the games to come," Seagraves explained during a virtual media meeting organised by Sony Sports.
Pep Guardiola's team were worried about the fitness of Belgian playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, who limped off the field during City's FA Cup semifinal game against Liverpool. However, the injury was not serious and the star played 57 minutes during his team's dominating 5-1 win over Watford on Saturday.
Seagraves reiterated De Bruyne's importance to the Cityzens and added that if he is absent, then it might add impetus to Madrid's push for a place in the final, "He is the best player in the team. He is the one that makes Manchester City tick. Even though they play fluid, attractive football, he is the guy who can change games. His ability to score and create goals is second to none.
"We saw him come off in the FA Cup semifinal because of a calf injury. He has this ongoing problem, so Manchester city can ill afford not to have Kevin de Bryune in the team. I think Kyle Walker may be out as well with an injury. So all of a sudden, two of your best and most experienced players are not in the team. So that might give a little impetus to Real Madrid."
