SUMMARY
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The UEFA Champions League returns with the remaining places at the final tournament in Lisbon up for grabs as Europe’s top clubs look to go all the way and lift the trophy on August 23 after a suspension of 5 months due to the coronavirus.
Bookmark this page to catch the pregame show between Manchester City and Real Madrid live for free on Friday, August 7 at 7 pm, UK time (Saturday, August 8, 2 am, Philippine time).
The match buildup features special guests Paul Dickov and Shaun Goater.
Pep Guardiola’s City already claimed one major European victory this summer after the club’s successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport which saw their two-year Champions League ban overturned.
That may mean they are extra motivated to go on and win the trophy for the first time, even if Guardiola insists “this issue is over.”
They are in prime position to reach the quarterfinals after a 2-1 victory in Spain in the first leg, when Kevin De Bruyne’s penalty won the game.
Nevertheless they are without the injured Sergio Aguero, and there is pressure on them. Their campaign was underwhelming domestically and the high point of City’s experience in the Champions League so far remains a defeat to Real in the semifinals in 2016.
Madrid, in contrast, has been there and done it so many times before, winning the competition 4 times in the last 6 years alone.
Zinedine Zidane’s team is fresh from claiming the Spanish title after an exceptional run of post-shutdown form. (READ: Real Madrid bags 34th La Liga title with game to spare)
However, they must do without Sergio Ramos, who is suspended after being sent off in the first leg.
– Rappler.com
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