Real Madrid know exactly what to expect from Manchester City

Last year’s Champions League semifinal rematch begins today when Manchester City travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face reigning champions Real Madrid.

Kroos knows what to expect from City

As last year’s tie between City and Madrid ended in disappointment for City, one might expect them to be extra motivated this year. But Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos doesn’t think so.

“I don’t know if they could be more motivated than last year,” said Kroos in the pregame press conference. “It’s clear that they have the goal to win the Champions League. I think most of their players have never won it. It’s nearly impossible to be more motivated.”

City’s loss last year was made more disappointing by the fact that they lost the lead after the first leg. City was up 4-3 after the first leg at the Etihad. But going up against a team like Real Madid, who had won the tournament 13 times, a one-point lead isn’t exactly comfortable. In the second, playing on Madrid’s turf, Carlo Ancelotti’s side came back to win it 3-1 and defeat City on a 6-5 aggregate. As we know, they went on to win the Champions League for the record 14th time.

“You felt it last year, as they had two good games,” said Kroos. “I think maybe in the first leg, they missed [chances] to score a bit more, to come to Madrid with a better result. But even here, they scored the first goal and they were very close. And so I expect that same motivation because I think more is impossible.”