In the grand scheme of all things football, you don't often beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Manchester City's historic evening couldn't come against tougher opposition than the likes of 10 times European champions. However, if you want to be the kings of Europe, then you've got to play the top teams at some point and City did extremely well to knock out Paris Saint-Germain in the last round.

It wasn't an expected triumph, but then PSG didn't do themselves justice when they came to the Etihad and ultimately paid the price.

The semi-final first timer's versus the experience of Real sounds one sided, but it won't be if City can seize every advantage they have.

The intriguing tie also brings City's outgoing manager Pellegrini up against the club that sacked him in 2010 after just one season in charge.

Going back before we look forward, Manchester City and Real Madrid's only previous competitive encounter was in the 2012/13 Champions League group stages. Los Merengues won 3-2 at the Bernabeu before a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium, and to put things into perspective this is Real Madrid's sixth successive Champions League semi-final.

However, the Spanish giants have only gone on to reach one final in that period, the 2013/14 season when they went on to win the competition and claim the much coveted 'La Decima' - their 10th European Cup victory.

From those sides left in the competition, Real Madrid is possibly the best tie for City. For all of the Spaniards' famous and talented individuals, they can be exposed, and City have the attacking prowess to make short work of the gaps that often appear at the back.

The tie for City will be won at home. They need to be clinical and they need to be on form and take a comfortable lead to Spain. Once in Spain, they will need to play the tightest and most defensive game of their lives - Wolfsburg thought they had done enough and looked what happened in the return leg.

This City team go into the game after finding their form at just the right time. They seemed to buckle a bit in February/March, but have now found their feet and after a succession of decent victories in the Premier League. Real won't have it all their own way.

Zidane's side are third in La Liga, just one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and twenty points clear of fourth placed Villarreal, and are currently on a five-match winning run.

Both teams have injury concerns and the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo didn't play at the weekend suggests that Real are keeping him fit for Tuesday night's match. However, the hint that he has a problem might see a City defender go in quite heavily early on, to let him know that he's a marked man.

With Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo et al, City's work will be cut out for them. Ronaldo aside, Benzema has also been out injured, but is expected back for this game. City are unlikely to be at full strength with Yaya Toure and Fernando looking doubtful.

For a team that doesn't see possession as key, Manchester City will have to ride most of the match with Real dictating the terms. Luka Modric in particular is having yet another brilliant season in Madrid and it's easy to see why Real don't want to lose him this summer. His ability to pass, control and win back the ball are going to be vital for his side.

Don't underestimate City though. David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne can also control matters and they will be pivotal in any success that City have. There are gaps in the Real back line and De Bruyne will seize those opportunities to run at them and could do so with devastating effect.

It will be a great night, but the game needs to be won at the Etihad and closed out in Madrid.

It will be entertaining and the tie will guarantee goals - let's just hope the it's the team in light blue that go into the second leg ahead.

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