A number of Manchester City fans mocked Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde after he insisted that the La Liga side are out for “revenge” in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
The Premier League champions hold a strong advantage in the tie, coming from behind to win the first leg 2-1 in the Spanish capital three months ago with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne before the competition was halted amid the coronavirus pandemic.
| Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde says he is out for "revenge" against #ManCity in the UCL:
“We have the will, the desire and the joy of getting back for that match and fighting for revenge to be able to qualify [for the quarter-finals].” pic.twitter.com/FbzT0ccJ2d
— City Chief (@City_Chief) May 25, 2020
Whether the tournament will resume this season is as yet unconfirmed but Valverde has nonetheless stoked the flames with his remarks, telling Real Madrid TV [via Evening Standard]: “We have the will, the desire and the joy of getting back for that match and fighting for revenge to be able to qualify [for the quarter-finals].” Those comments were subsequently shared on Twitter by @City_Chief.
Manchester City certainly hold the upper hand in the tie after winning at the Bernabeu but Pep Guardiola will surely be aware that, at the same stage of the competition last season, their opponents won the away leg 2-1 against Ajax before suffering a 4-1 thrashing on their own turf (as per BBC).
Do you think this season's Champions League will be completed?
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These City fans on Twitter took aim at Valverde over his bullish remarks:
Dream big https://t.co/HWPppkCKWZ
— ISAAC NEWTON (@pep_citi) May 25, 2020
if this guy can get fully bullied around the pitch by gundogan, youve got no chance fella https://t.co/W7n8zpX1NF
— Sam (@_SamMCFC) May 26, 2020
our worst midfielder ran over this guy. He should talk less
No hate towards Gundo. Just shows how great our midfield is https://t.co/257XpwY0jx
— Sarah (@GrandiosoGarcia) May 26, 2020
Bookmarked https://t.co/rJndccfKBv
— Lehlohonolo Papo (@papomcfc) May 25, 2020
Woow I’m shaking in my boots
— Josèph Belmont (@BLACKEDHART) May 25, 2020
CAAAAAAAN’T WAIT TO SMASH HIS TEAM
— Wael (@waeltamim8) May 25, 2020
Man City fans, do you think your team will overcome Real Madrid in the second leg if the Champions League resumes? Have your say by commenting below!