Following a 1-1 draw in the opening leg, the second finalist will be decided at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City host Real Madrid. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Julián Álvarez will receive minutes off the bench or start again as a substitute, given Guardiola’s preference in the first leg for a cautious approach.
City welcome Real Madrid to Manchester for the Champions League semi-final second leg. The tie remains finely poised after the Bernabéu clash ended level, and the Etihad will stage a clash that fans hope delivers the dramatic finish of recent meetings between these two European heavyweights. Madrid arrive seeking to defend the title they won last season and chase a fifth final in eight years, while City aim to overturn the previous year’s result and advance to the final once more.
In the absence of an official squad update from Pep Guardiola, the prevailing expectation is that Álvarez could be named from the bench again. The Catalan coach did not make a substitution in the first leg, leaving room for tactical adjustments in Manchester. The decision about Álvarez’s involvement will likely hinge on the gameplan and the tempo of the match as it unfolds.
WHEN IS?
HOW TO SEE ON TV
The second leg between Manchester City and Real Madrid will be broadcast in the region by ESPN and Fox Sports, with coverage tailored for a North American audience.
WHO REPORTS AND WHO COMMENTS?
Fox Sports: Coverage by Hernán De Lorenzi and analysis from Miguel Osovi.
ESPN and Star+: Coverage by Mariano Closs and commentary from Diego Latorre.
HOW TO WATCH BY STREAMING
Streaming options include the platforms offered by major cable providers: Cablevision Stream, Play Telecentre, and Direct TV GO. These services support PC, Mac, tablets, and smartphones running Android (version 4 or higher) or iOS (version 8 or higher).
Additionally, Star+ provides ESPN programming and live events, along with a broad library of shows and films, fitting for fans who want sports, entertainment, and more in one service.
FORMATIONS
THE CITY OF MANCHESTER
To confirm.
REAL MADRID
To confirm.
Note: This overview reflects typical broadcast and streaming options for audiences in North America and does not constitute a schedule guarantee. All details are subject to change based on regional rights and platform availability. [Goal]