Ex Real Madrid Icon Explains Why Man City Are Favourites Ahead of Champions League Blockbuster

• Real Madrid and Manchester City are scheduled to play a first-leg semi-final match at the Bernabeu
• This will be a repeat of last year's semi-final, when Madrid made a remarkable comeback to defeat City
• Madrid have a knack for beating English teams, but Pep Guardiola's charges look unstoppable right now

Claude Makelele has weighed in on the forthcoming first-leg semi-final clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.

The current holders of Europe's premier club competition, Real Madrid, are bidding to win a record-extending 15th Champions League crown, but will first have to scale the difficult hurdle of beating Manchester City, who are in red-hot form.

Pep Guardiola's charges are unbeaten since February 2, chalking an eye-watering 17 wins and 3 draws in their last 20 matches across all competitions. This is why they have been tipped as favourites for the mouthwatering clash against Los Blancos.

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Discussing the chances of both teams booking a spot in the final, Makelele, who made over 100 appearances for Real Madrid during his three-year stint, believes it will be a difficult tie; however, Man City have the advantage.

“The game? Manchester City have understood how to play in the Champions League, you must suffer in games. City have a good chance, but I’m still a fan of Real Madrid,” the Chelsea youth coach said, as quoted by MadridXtra.

This will be the second time in two seasons both sides are crossing paths in the semi-final, with Real Madrid coming up tops in last term's affair, edging out the Premier League side in the most dramatic of circumstances, Sky Sports reports.

Kroos claps back at Rooney

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Toni Kroos has responded to Wayne Rooney, who claimed Manchester City will "destroy" Real Madrid ahead of Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League blockbuster between the two sides.

Rooney had earlier claimed the current holders of Europe's premier club competition will not be a match for Manchester City in the build-up to the first leg on May 9.

However, in typical Kroos fashion, the Real Madrid midfielder appeared unfazed by Rooney's claim suggesting Los Blancos are motivated to defend their title, citing last season's meeting.