Wayne Rooney, a legendary member of Manchester United, boldly claimed that Manchester City would defeat Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal matchup on Tuesday.
Rooney, who retired from football at the age of 35 following a successful professional career, has written a preview of City’s matchup with Real in his most recent piece for The Times.
“Manchester City will not just beat Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final — they’ll blow them away,” the former England international wrote.
“Of course, I may be wrong. There is no side better at disproving arguments against them than Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid in the Champions League. But I just think City are so good that they’re on another level,” he added.
Although the former player acknowledged Real Madrid’s record, City is his overwhelming favourite to go to the champions league final.
“Of course, I could be wrong, but I think City are on another level,” he added.
“You can never rule out a team with Real Madrid’s experience and history, but I wouldn’t bet on them. I think this is City’s year.
“From the start of the season, I felt this would be the campaign where Pep Guardiola would finally conquer Europe with City and the football his team are playing in recent months and the way they are peaking at the right time has only reaffirmed that thought.”
Erling Haaland, who already broke the Premier League goal-scoring record in his debut season, is the crucial player in this match for Rooney.
“A year ago, Real Madrid knocked City out, but now the dynamic is different. City are better defensively and are a more patient team, but the biggest change is Erling Haaland,” Rooney explained.
“Last season at the Bernabeu the team had five crazy minutes that lost them the tie. With Haaland, it wouldn’t have happened.
“Real Madrid could not have played the same way. In both games, they had periods where they took the ball away from City and they were able to do that because City had no real counter-attacking threat.”
The former United forward questions how Real Madrid will be able to halt Haaland in the two-leg match.
All indications point to Antonio Rudiger handling the Norwegian striker’s defence for Carlo Ancelotti since Eder Militao will be suspended for the first game.
“He’s a great competitor who likes one-on-one play,” Rooney said.
“Still, I don’t think the German defender can handle Haaland, to be honest.
“With Haaland’s speed and power, and his movement in the box, I don’t think any centre-back in the world can stop him.”