Benitez made the comment while analyzing the much anticipated double header semi-final clash between the two European giants
By Kehinde Okeowo
Pundit and former Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez has told Man City the three players to watch out for ahead of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-final tie.
The La Liga champions will host the Citizens in the first-leg of the UCL semi-final tie on Tuesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.
When the two teams met last season in the same competition, Real Madrid knocked Man City out of the European elite competition at the same stage.
Los Blancos went on to lift the Champions League trophy that season, beating another Premier League side, Liverpool in the final.
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Speaking ahead of the double header semi-final clash, Benitez advised Man City to be wary of the threat of the likes of Vinicius, Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois.
“There is the threat of Vinicius Jr,” Benitez told The Times.
“[He] scored in the first leg of last year’s semi-final at the Etihad Stadium, who is trying to run into the space on the right of City’s backline.
“Also, Karim Benzema has very good movement. He likes to come between the lines which makes it difficult for two centre backs; it can be a massive gamble to leave him against just one.
“It is about risk and reward and trusting players… But let us not forget Thibaut Courtois.
“When Real have been in difficult situations, he has always done very well for them.
“He is a world-class goalkeeper and his battle with Haaland is one to watch.”
The winner of the Real Madrid and Man City semi-final will face either Inter Milan or AC Milan in the final at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on June 10.