Ladies and gentlemen, the UEFA Champions League is approaching the business end of the tournament. Clubs across Europe are set to battle it out for the biggest prize in club football. Defending champions Manchester City have a lot of pressure on their shoulders, with fans expecting the side to achieve the feat for a second consecutive year. Well, while the heat was already on, temperatures will soar at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola‘s men drawn against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals matchup.

Both Manchester City and Real Madrid have been in sublime form this season. However, City could be at a slight disadvantage. The team’s defense looks like a block of Swiss cheese, with opponents efficiently exploiting the gaps to trouble the Cityzens. It could be an open invitation for Real Madrid, who has been firing on all cylinders in their attack this season, with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior scoring goals for fun.

Pep Guardiola spoke about being drawn against Los Blancos during his press conference before the FA Cup clash against Newcastle United. Guardiola stated, “We don’t have another option. It looks like a little bit of a tradition, three years in a row playing the kings of the competition. Hopefully, we arrive in a good moment. The draw you cannot control, if people say it’s easy because you undermine the opponents. Second leg at home, it is what it is.”

While Real Madrid will pose an enormous threat to City’s chance of defending their title, the team has to focus on the game on the horizon. The side will host the Magpies at home without the services of Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson, putting them at a slight disadvantage.

Can Pep Guardiola rally his defense before it’s too late?

Manchester City has been abysmal in their defensive duties this season. Pep Guardiola’s side has conceded 28 goals in their 28 appearances in the Premier League this season. While for many this seems like a fair number, for Pep Guardiola’s side, this has to be one of their poorest defensive performance.

Just in comparison, City conceded 33 goals last season throughout the entire Premier League campaign. Meanwhile, the numbers during the 2021-22 season were even tighter, with the opponents managing just 26 goals against the Cityzens. The team is already past the figure and still has ten games left in their league campaign.

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The likes of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, who were a rock in City’s defense, seem like a liability this season. Opponents have had no worries getting the better of Dias with their pace, with the center back often left in the dust. Ake, on the other hand, has been shoddy in possession, with the defender caught slacking on multiple occasions. The team desperately needs to work on these flaws if they want any chance at retaining their treble this season.

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