Erling Haaland hasn’t scored a goal against Real Madrid after four games against Los Blancos.
Haaland will have two more attempts to exorcise his Madrid demons when Carlo Ancelotti’s team lock horns with Manchester City in a two-legged Champions League play-off clash.
Antonio Rudiger has been Haaland’s kryptonite in those matches, but the German defender is injured and cannot play both matches.
Ahead of the game, former Real Madrid and Man City midfielder Steve McManaman claims that Haaland will never have a better chance to wreak serious damage on Madrid.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Manchester City – and Erling Haaland will never have a better chance than this to show Madrid what they’re missing,” McManaman said.
“Let’s be honest, this isn’t the Real Madrid of last season. They’re a team that’s been torn apart by defensive problems. And if you’ve got one of the greatest goalscorers in the game coming up against a group of makeshift defenders, then that’s a dream scenario that City have to exploit – and Haaland in particular.
“He hasn’t scored a goal against Madrid yet – and that will bother him because he is a player who lives to put the ball in the back of the net. It looks like Ancelotti will be forced to play (Raul) Asencio and (Aurelien) Tchouameni in central defence and perhaps (Fede) Valverde at right-back.
“Of course, City have had their problems with injuries as well this season – but they have got to be big favourites for the game at the Etihad. For Madrid, it will be a case of damage limitation and the chance of keeping the tie alive going back to the Bernabeu.”