Pep Guardiola has overseen the raising of the Blue Moon this season. His all-conquering team, fresh from a 2-0 victory over Leicester City, is chasing the quadruple with a 14 point lead in the Premier League. The legendary quadruple is still on for the Cityzen’s, but this Tuesday, Edin Terzić’s men will stand in their way as they chase the most coveted piece of silverware; The Champions League trophy.

Interim Dortmund manager Terzic needs to call upon all his experience to get the floundering BVB to produce a peak performance. They fell to 1-2 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, and fifth place in the Bundesliga, Champions League qualification seems increasingly unlikely for next season unless they can win it this year.

City and Dortmund have only met twice in the Champions League. In the 2012-13 season with a draw at the Etihad and 1-0 win for Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park. City have won 10 of the last 11 games against German opposition, but Pep will be wary of Dortmund, unbeaten in their last seven European games. Pep has lost four of five quarter-final Champions League matches the past three seasons. He will be determined to prevent a fourth consecutive exit. Dortmund have not reached this far since knocking Monaco out the 2016-17 season.

Man City enter the tie with a fully fit squad and no suspensions. Axel Witsel, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Marcel Schmelzer, Youssoufa Moukoko and Jadon Sancho will be unavailable for Dortmund due to injury. Pep will have the freedom to display his full tactical nuances, while Terzic may continue to play Raphael Guerreiro in midfield among other switches to compensate for absences.

Pep claims that he knows the opposition, although this is arguably a very different team from the Dortmund he faced years ago as Bayern manager. Even more has changed since City transfer target; Erling Haaland used to support his dad, then a City player.

Pep has been taking a much more cautious approach to games this season. His tactics now favour the use of false nines instead of a number nine. Using false nines, the signing of left-sided centre back, Rúben Dias and John Stones’ resurgence have proved to be revelations. City have become more compact defensively while still being able to play possession, passing football. The new system has reduced the number of goals scored, but they have also drastically reduced the number of goals conceded. Although scoring less, City has countless goal threats from midfield. Look out for Dortmund’s former son, Ikay Gundogan, making runs into the box from the half-space positions he likes to occupy. City can dominate any opposition.

Dortmund will take heart from City’s relatively poor form in front of goal. City have not scored more than two goals in their last three games. If Dortmund can keep it tight at the back and nick a goal, they have every chance of outsourcing City at home in the return leg. Terzic will be hoping to see the likes of Jude Bellingham, Marco Reus and Thorgan Hazard creating opportunities for the clinical, record-breaking Haaland. Haaland must retain his discipline as he is one booking away from a suspension.

With Dortmund’s depleted squad, City playing at home have the upper hand. Pep needs to wrap up this tie as much as possible from the first leg, or Terzic could oversee an upset in the return leg. City should take this one 3-1.

Real Madrid welcome Liverpool in a clash of European Elites

As the Bernabeau receives its upgrade, Zinedine Zidane will host Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at the tiny Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Tuesday. This venue is hardly fitting for a clash of this magnitude for teams who have won the competition 19 times combined with Los Merengues holding a record 13 titles.

Bad blood exists between these teams due to the strong rivalry and tradition they share in the Champions League; but, most notably,The Mighty Reds felt hard-done-by due to the on-field activities of Sergio Ramos, resulting in Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah having to leave the field with a broken collar bone and injuries to Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius. Ramos claimed his actions were not intentional and apologized. But, Liverpool fans have been seething ever since.

Historically, Real Madrid and Liverpool have met once in the Champions League knockout rounds (2008-2009). Liverpool emerged, 5-0 winners on aggregate. Real Madrid have since dominated the tie with three victories in the last three games played.

This match is interestingly poised. Both teams struggled earlier in the seasons, losing key players for lengthy periods, but they have begun to demonstrate resurgence. Real are on an 11 match unbeaten run, while Liverpool have kept three consecutive clean sheets. Real only have one clean sheet in their last six games.

Madrid will be without Dani Carvajal, Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos due to injury. Frederico Valverde is also doubtful due to injury. Liverpool have Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson, Caoimhin Kelleher, Joel Matip, Divock Origi and Virgil Van Dijk all out due to injury.

The return to fitness of Karim Benzema has been a massive boost to Real. He is a special player who can change the game in a moment with clinical finishing. The forwards will get quality service from world-class midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Madrid will play their possession game out from the back, a system vulnerable to Liverpool’s press. Liverpool have not been playing such a high defensive line recently. If they do play a high line against Madrid, Vinicius Junior and Asensio have the pace to exploit space in behind the defence.

Liverpool’s turn around has been a product of Fabinho’s return to midfield, providing a proper defensive shield. Diogo Jota’s return to fitness has also given Liverpool’s attack the cutting edge it lacked during his time on the sidelines. Regular starters Carvajal’s and Ramos’ absence has increased the leakiness of the Madrid defence. Their absence provides the Reds with a significant opportunity to score some away goals. There is the added incentive of Liverpool’s poor home form. The Reds lack confidence at home, so getting away goals could be a notable factor in their progression. Madrid must stop Liverpool’s fullbacks from getting up the pitch and playing in the forwards.

These two European giants are slowly awakening from their slumber. Despite the sidelining of the main antagonist, Romas, more than competition progression is on the line. Expect dramatics and ill tempers linked to events surrounding the 2018 Final. A 2-2 draw is the expected outcome in this game.