The heavyweight rematch everybody wanted to see is here. Real Madrid travel to Manchester City on for their Champions League semifinal second leg with things all squared up. In the Spanish capital on Tuesday of last week, it was goals by Vinicius Jr. and Kevin de Bruyne that saw things finish 1-1. That leaves a pretty simply scenario here -- win and advance. Be it in regulation, extra time or penalty kicks, there must be a winner and that team will move on to the final on June 10 to face Inter, who defeated AC Milan on Tuesday.
Paramount+ is your home for all-things UCL. We've got all the pregame and postgame coverage you need plus make sure to check out CBS Sports Golazo Network for tactical cams. Here's what you need to know about the games, our expert picks and more:
Golazo Starting XI Newsletter
Get your Soccer Fix from Around the Globe
Your ultimate guide to the Beautiful Game as our experts take you beyond the pitch and around the globe with news that matters.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
Wednesday's broadcast schedule
- UEFA Champions League Today, 2 p.m., Paramount+ and CBS
- Manchester City vs. Real Madrid, 3 p.m., Paramount+ and CBS
- Tactical Cam: Manchester City vs. Real Madrid, 3 p.m., CBS Sports Golazo Network
- UEFA Champions League Post-Match Show, 5 p.m., Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network
CBS Sports has a brand new daily soccer podcast, covering everything you need to know about the beautiful game. Make sure to give House of Champions a follow for coverage of the biggest games, stories, transfer news with Fabrizio Romano, and everything else going on in the world's most popular sport.
Match picks
Manchester City
By James Benge
One player to watch: For all that Vinicius Junior burgeoned his case to rank among the best in the world, Karim Benzema cut a subdued figure. That may in no small part have been due to the imperious Ruben Dias, who was his customary mix of elegance on the ball and full throttled battling off it. He throws himself in the way of any danger that comes City's way and might just be able to quell Benzema again.
Underrated X-factor: No one would confuse the Etihad Stadium with one of Europe's great arenas, particularly on Champions League nights when supporters tend to register their distaste of UEFA in the loudest terms. But City certainly feel at ease under the lights and are unbeaten in their last 25 European home games, the most by any English club. Indeed the English champions haven't lost a home knockout game since way back in 2015, when Luis Suarez and the rest of Barcelona put them to the sword.
Biggest reason they'll win: Picking just one quality that will carry City to victory is a challenge in itself but if you have to trust a team to claim a clean sheet in this competition it is Wednesday's hosts, who have let in just five goals in 11 matches so far. That isn't some fluke either, they have only given up 7.8 non-penalty expected goals in the Champions League so far.
Biggest reason they'll lose: Until such time as they actually win the Champions League the same cliche will have to apply, that there is something inherent to this particular team that makes them their own worst enemies on the European stage. That City haven't taken control of the tie in the first leg makes it all the more credible that they could simply lose their cool in the dying stages of the second leg.
Real Madrid
By Chuck Booth
One player to watch: Karim Benzema. Going back to the first leg, while Real Madrid had their chances, one of the key takeaways was that Benzema barely got a touch of the ball. Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior got their chances out wide but for Real to be at their best, there has to be a central threat as well. Benzema can move a defense even when he isn't at his best because defenses know what he can do with the ball at his feet but Real will need at least a goal or an assist from the Frenchman if they want to get past Manchester City at home.
Underrated X-factor: Luka Modric. While we can't call Modric underrated at this stage of things, once you become a Galactico that term doesn't particularly matter. But, if there's one player who on their day can make this match a Real Madrid route, it's Modric. Everywhere on the pitch keeping possession moving and creating chances a vintage Modric game can change the tie for Los Blancos even if Benzema doesn't get space to work in attack.
Biggest reason they'll win: Composure. Real Madrid are a team that has been in this place time and time again. Coming from behind to move forward in Champions League? They've done that. Winning away from home as underdogs? They've done that too. Real has experience that will prevent this game from going sideways unless City puts up multiple goals early in the tie.
Biggest reason they'll lose: Defensive frailty. While Madrid had no issues creating chances against City, early in the first leg they were overpowered by City's attack. Allowing that to happen with City at home, even if for a second can put the team in a deficit that can't be overturned. This is also why Camavinga's health will be critical because the team defense is much better with him in the lineup.
Prediction
By James Benge
Madrid have proven themselves to be a good match for City but ultimately Pep Guardiola's side might just have the greater quality, particularly off the bench, to swing this tie in their direction with a 2-1 win.