City welcome Los Blancos to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 26 April, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 (UK).
Pep Guardiola’s men are taking part in just our third semi-final, with a showdown against either Villarreal or Liverpool up for grabs should we progress.
Only Club captain Fernandinho has made more Champions League appearances for City than Sterling, but the winger has explained what featuring in Europe’s elite competition still means to him on a personal level.
“It’s a special competition,” the winger said to the media in his pre-match press conference.
“It’s a competition every young player wants to be in, and it was no different (for me) growing up.
“I try to give my best, the music and atmosphere on the night is always special.”
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Madrid earned their place in Tuesday’s semi-final following aggregate victories over Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, with Karim Benzema scoring seven times across those four matches.
In total, the 34-year-old has grabbed 12 goals in nine Champions League appearances this season, leaving him one shy of top scorer Robert Lewandowski.
Asked for his opinion on the French international’s current run of form, Sterling hailed Benzema’s impressive longevity at the highest stage of European football.
He said: “(Benzema is) a top player. To be playing at such a high level for such a long time is a remarkable thing.
“It shows what an incredible professional he is.”
