City and Real will lock horns at the Etihad on Wednesday night with the semi-final delicately poised at 1-1 after last Tuesday’s absorbing opening encounter.
Pitting together the reigning European champions and current English champions, it’s a tie that has captured the imagination of football fans around the globe.
At stake is a place in next month’s final in Istanbul, Turkey against either Inter or AC Milan of Italy who meet in their concluding semi-final second leg on Tuesday night.
It could be a memorable few days for the Club with City also knowing a victory over Chelsea on Sunday would guarantee a third straight Premier League title and fifth crown in six years.
And addressing the media at a packed press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the City and England right back said seeking to overcome Carlo Ancelotti’s side was a challenge he and his colleagues were savouring ahead of a pivotal few days.
“It’s big to every one of us in that dressing room, we know the goal at the end of it,” Walker declared.
“A massive week for the club and we are in a good situation compared to two months ago in the Premier League.
“It’s 1-1 and we are at the Etihad where we’ve been more than confident in the UEFA Champions League to get a result. Hopefully we do that again.
“I’d have liked to do it when we played Chelsea (in the 2021 final) but it was a learning curve.
“This group have been together for a few years and learned to overcome situations, in winning and losing positions.
“I remember against Tottenham in 2019 when we thought Raheem Sterling had scored (to win at the end of the game).
“We’ve gone through rough and good moments but hopefully this is the icing on the cake to put our name in the history books and put this club on the UCL map.”
Looking further ahead it could be a historic few weeks with City also through to an all-Manchester FA Cup final against Manchester United as well as also seeking to secure another league title.
However, Walker insisted that nothing would be taken for granted in terms of the battle for silverware.
And looking at the Champions League specifically, Walker asserted that he and his colleagues owed it to themselves and everyone at the club to try and secure a first Champions League title.
“To get to the final against Chelsea in 2021 and not perform, we owe it to ourselves to get revenge because it was below par that day,” Walker added.
“But we’ve got a tough opponent to get past tomorrow.
“In recent weeks every game has been a final, anything can happen. AC and Inter Milan are massive clubs. We’ll watch that semi-final tonight and study it but the first thing is get past Madrid.
“(In terms of the league), we would have done five titles in six years hopefully if we cross the line of this one which isn’t over by the way.
“Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford are tough places to go, but the club’s missing that one (the Champions League).”
CITY v REAL MADRID
We will have full coverage of Wednesday’s match right here on the official Man City app.
Our Matchday Centre will be available from 18:00 (UK), providing you with live text updates before, during and after the game.
Our Matchday Live programme will begin shortly before team news arrives at 18:45 (UK).
Host Cel Spellman will welcome Nedum Onuoha and David James into the studio to provide you with a City-centric view on the events at the Etihad.
During the game, Alistair Mann and Andy Morrison will guide you through proceedings with our radio commentary.
Highlights will be available at 23:00 (UK) on Wednesday and CITY+ subscribers can watch a full 90-minute replay from midnight.
Don’t forget, the best way to follow Manchester City is by downloading our official app!
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