Real Madrid transfer news

REAL MADRID stars took just 45 minutes to realise Manchester City weren’t even “half the team” they faced in recent years.Real and City failed to finish in the Champions League’s top eight during the league phase and that set up a blockbuster play-off for a place in the Last 16.Real Madrid realised they weren’t facing the same Manchester City from the last three yearsCredit: RexReal found Man City weren’t ‘half the team’ they faced last yearCredit: GettyReal decided to play attacking football during half-time at Man CityCredit: PAReal dumped Man City out of the Champions League in dominant second legCredit: GettyThe two giants first met at the Etihad last week for the first leg, which Los Blancos approached with the utmost respect and refused to pay any attention to Man City’s immense woes in the Premier League.The Citizens found themselves leading at half-time thanks to Erling Haaland’s opener, and that is when Carlo Ancelotti’s stars came to a sudden realisation.According to Marca, a big conversation took place in the visitors’ dressing room.The visitors understood they weren’t playing against the same City that took them to the limit the last three years, during which they faced off in six thrilling Champions League knockout games.Read More on FootballThat was when Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and co asked themselves: “What are we doing?”The reigning European champions previously adopted a more defensive strategy, such as last year when they “parked the bus” on the edge of their area in the quarter-finals.However, the Spanish champions knew they could push this team and press higher as Pep Guardiola’s side was nothing like the rivals they remembered.Real stars found their opponents to be “physically bad” when pressed with “lots of gaps, lots of gaps” and a “surprisingly fragile” defence.Most read in Champions LeagueAncelotti’s men returned to the pitch and equalised with Mbappe and kept fighting despite Haaland’s double 10 minutes before full-time as they levelled things up with Brahim Diaz and got the winner through Bellingham during stoppage time.Real used the lessons they learned in the second leg as they only played attacking football, which was completely different than what they displayed last season against City.Man City boss Pep Guardiola responds to late collapse to Real Madrid It paid dividends as Mbappe scored a hat-trick during a dominant display that saw Guardiola’s side being often unable to cross the halfway line.And Man City struggled so much they couldn’t get a shot on or off target until the latter stages of the second half, which saw Nico Gonzalez scoring a consolation goal during stoppage time. More

MANCHESTER CITY have to overcome a 3-2 deficit at Real Madrid on Wednesday if they want to progress in the Champions League.Pep Guardiola’s men conceded two sloppy goals late at the Etihad last week meaning their European ambitions rely on a big result at the Spanish giants.So SunSport have enlisted the help of their betting experts to preview the European showdown and select the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereNew sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesReal Madrid vs Manchester City previewOn paper, it looks a huge task for Manchester City to overturn a deficit in Madrid this week.On the pitch, you just don’t know what side is going to turn up at the minute. Pep Guardiola’s men looked set to take a lead to Spain when heading into the final five minutes or so in front.To go on to lose the game is quite ridiculous but probably in tone with what City have produced in the past couple of months.They were really good on Saturday, for all that Newcastle just didn’t turn up at the Etihad again, so need to replicate that and more to progress. Their last visit to the Bernabeu was enthralling. A 3-3 draw in the quarter finals last year where they led, trailed, led again and were pegged back late on.Madrid have conceded in five of their last six home games, so City more than likely will get themselves on the scoresheet. It’s the defensive side that will worry supporters.First scorer and correct score predictionsCorrect score: 4-2 at 25/1 with Betfred – HEREFirst scorer: Vinicius Jr 11/2 with talkSPORT BET – HEREReal Madrid vs Man City latest oddsReal Madrid at 10/11 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREOdds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.How to claim..William Hill £60 welcome bonusVisit the William Hill website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: T60Once your account is registered, click ‘opt in’ on the ‘Vegas Promotion’ pageDeposit a minimum of £10 in your main account to receive a £20 Vegas Bonus for use on Selected GamesThen place a bet with a minimum stake of £10 at odds of 1/2 or greater on any football marketOnce that’s settled, your account will be credited with £40 in free betsWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Real Madrid vs Man City predictions and tipsFrustrationIt looks like Antonio Rudiger is fit to return for the second leg having missed out in Manchester last week.His battles with Erling Haaland were crucial last year and he’s going to fancy getting the better of the Norwegian here.Haaland has been given it back to his opponents more and more in this recent run and that’s a tussle that could quite easily spill over in what’s sure to be a passionate contest.Goals aplentyThese sides have shared 17 goals in the last four fixtures between them in the Champions League.Given City’s defensive concerns, their best form of defence is likely attack. And this attack will cause huge problems to Madrid.Likely to be another high-scoring affair with tie to be decided on the night.*William Hill. 18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply.*Betfred. New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.*BetMGM. New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware.org.*talkSPORT BET. 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly*Tote. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – www.gambleaware.orgFor help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

MANCHESTER CITY are set to go head-to-head with rivals Real Madrid again this summer – in a battle for £85 million midfielder Florian Wirtz.The two old foes – who meet again in the Bernabeu on Wednesday – are both huge admirers of the Germany international.Manchester City are set to go after Bayer Leverkusen star Florian WirtzCity see Wirtz as the ideal long-term replacement for club legend Kevin De BruyneBayer Leverkusen’s star man, 21, is believed to be keen on a switch to the Spanish giants when he does leave his homeland.But Pep Guardiola and his bosses at the Etihad view him as an ideal long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne.City began their rebuilding programme by splashing out more than £175 million on four new signings in January.That included defensive midfielder Nico Gonzalez and Saturday’s hat-trick hero Omar Marmoush who can play as a No 10 or out wide.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSBut they know that De Bruyne, who turns 34 in the summer and is also out of contract around the same time, cannot go on forever.Guardiola admitted last week that two long-term injuries mean the brilliant Belgian is ‘not the same’ player he used to be.Homegrown England star Phil Foden will be eyeing the vacancy – but is also versatile enough to be used in a number of different positions.However they are also weighing up their options from outside the club – and Wirtz is among the candidates.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe has 27 goals and assists so far this season for Xabi Alonso’s men – and Leverkusen would love to tie him down to a new contract.His decision could well be impacted by his current coach – with the former Liverpool midfielder in the frame to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid.’Pep Guardiola is stressed, man’ – Fans fear for Man City boss as Etihad legend spotted with fresh scratches on headBayern Munich – managed by City legend Vincent Kompany – could also enter the race for Wirtz.The youngster has formed a promising partnership with Jamal Musiala for the national team and the German league leaders would love to pair them together at club level too.Meanwhile City are due to welcome new £12.5 million signing Claudio Echeverri to the Etihad this week after he completed his international duty with Argentina Under 20s.The 19-year-old has been dubbed the ‘new Messi’ back in his homeland and arrives with a glowing reputation.He will link up with the first team squad so Guardiola can decide whether he is ready to challenge for a place – or if he should go out on loan next season.Pep and his squad will fly to Spain on Tuesday to prepare for their latest Champions League encounter with Madrid.The holders have a 3-2 lead following a dramatic late win at the Etihad – meaning City have it all to do if they are to avoid an early exit.But they did win at the Bernabeu five years ago – and still have hope they save themselves.Guardiola will make a check on stand-in skipper Erling Haaland who limped off late in the 4-0 win over Newcastle with a knee injury.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, the Norway international was snapped during a warm down session at the City Football Academy on Sunday and is expected to be named in the travelling party.This is the fifth time the two clubs have been drawn together in the competition in the last six seasons.Jude Bellingham scored a last-gasp winner at the Etihad last week More

VINICIUS Junior has led a £6.7million buy-out of a club eyeing a top-flight place.The Real Madrid winger sealed the deal ahead of Wednesday’s massive Champions League play-off with Manchester City.Brazil ace Vinicius Jr spearheaded a club takeoverCredit: RexJude Bellingham’s first-leg winner leaves Real favourites to KO Man CityCredit: RexPep Guardiola’s men visit the Bernabeu 3-2 down from last week’s first leg.Vinicius Jr provided the stoppage-time assist for Jude Bellingham’s winner in that absorbing contest.Now he’s completed the purchase of Portuguese second-tier club FC Alverca.The Brazilian spearheaded a group of investors from his home country and Spain.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAlverca confirmed: “(Previous owner) Ricardo Vicintin has sold his qualified stake in the public limited company to a group of investors.”More information on the matter will be communicated in due course.”Vinicius will reportedly own between 70-80% of Alverca’s shares.The club, based near capital city Lisbon, are second in Liga Portugal 2.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThat’s left Alverca dreaming of joining giants like Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Benfica in the top flight next season.It comes just a year after they won Liga 3, having folded for 12 months in 2005 following financial problems.Jude Bellingham’s furious reaction to Valencia goalkeeper after Vinicius Jr sent off in heated Real Madrid clashThey have played at the highest level before – for three out of five years from 1998-2003.Alverca’s home stadium, the Complexo Desportivo, can hold 7,705 fans.Meanwhile, Vinicius will expect to be a key man when Real aim to reach the Champions League last 16 by seeing off City.Visiting boss Guardiola is buoyed by Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League romp over Newcastle.He said: “It’s better to travel to Madrid with this result than with a last-minute defeat, or any defeat.“So of course the victory helps us, but the margin to win in Bernabeu in that position, everybody knows what it is.”But he accepts Real’s two late goals to snatch a first-leg victory at the Etihad have given City a mammoth task. The Spaniard said: “If we’d kept the 2-1 lead we had with five minutes to go, it would be different but with 2-3 we know what the chance is. READ MORE SUN STORIES“If you ask before the game what the percentage to go through is, we’d arrive at about one per cent or I don’t know what.“It will be minimal, but as much as you have a chance, we will try, that’s for sure.” More