Unchartered territory
This is City’s first Champions League semi-final, whereas it’s number 27 for Real Madrid. The Spaniards have won 13 and lost 13 of their previous ‘last four’ encounters.
Six and the City
This is Real’s sixth successive Champions League semi-final - but they have only registered one win in that time, defeating Bayern Munich in the season they lifted the trophy.
Stalemate
The tie is all square after the two sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg.
Permutations
A City win will, of course, put the Blues through to the final in Milan on 28 May, as will any kind of score draw on the away goals rule.
If it’s still 0-0 after 90 minutes, the game will go to extra time and if it remains goalless at the end of that, the tie will be settled by a penalty shoot-out.
Third time lucky?
This is City’s third European semi-final in UEFA competitions and their first since 1971. In the 1969/70 season, they defeated Schalke 5-2 on aggregate in the European Cup Winners’ Cup - but lost 2-0 at the same stage to Chelsea the following year.
Home comforts
Ten-time winners Real have emerged victorious from all five of their home games in this year’s competition, including an 8-0 triumph over Malmo and a 3-0 win over Wolfsburg. They have scored 18 and conceded none.
Reigning in Spain
Real are unbeaten in nine matches against English clubs, winning six and drawing three, and haven’t lost to Premier League opponents in their last four home clashes.
Away day Blues
City have won three of their five away games in the Champions League this season and have already defeated Spanish opposition, beating Sevilla 2-1 at home and 3-1 away. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have won two of their last four trips to Spain.
Previous meetings
Prior to this season, City and Real Madrid had only met twice - in the group stages of the 2012/13 Champions League campaign.
City fell to an injury-time 3-2 defeat at the Bernabeu but earned a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.
Links
Steve McManaman, Nicolas Anelka, Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor and Javi Garcia have represented both clubs.
Pellegrini managed Real Madrid in the 2009/10 season, finishing the La Liga campaign with a record-breaking 96 points. Incredibly, his side still finished second to Barcelona.
Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Arbeloa are the only survivors from his reign.
