Champions League: Antoine Semenyo To Face Real Madrid as Man City Draw Spanish Giants
- Antoine Semenyo will have his first taste of Champions League action in the round of 16 stage next month
- The Ghana international will face Real Madrid after Manchester City were drawn against Los Blancos in Friday's draw
- This will be the fifth successive year both sides will cross paths in Europe's premier club competition
Antoine Semenyo is set for a blockbuster introduction to the UEFA Champions League after Manchester City were drawn against Real Madrid in the round of 16.
For the 26-year-old, it will be a first taste of Europe’s grandest club stage. For City, it is another chapter in a rivalry that refuses to fade.
Source: Getty Images
The draw has paired the Premier League giants with the competition’s most decorated side for the fifth straight season, according to Goal.
In recent years, the two clubs have collided in semi-finals, quarter-finals and even the league phase. Now, they meet again with a place in the last eight at stake.
Semenyo set for first Champions League test
At 26, Semenyo finally gets his moment. He missed City’s previous European fixtures but has now been registered for the knockout rounds. This time, he will not be watching from the sidelines.
The first leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu between March 10 and 11. The return fixture follows on March 17 and 18, according to ESPN.
Madrid booked their place after edging Benfica 2-1 across two tense encounters. Despite progressing, the Spanish giants have looked vulnerable this season, even after parting ways with Xabi Alonso.
City also had their own struggles. Direct entry into the round-of-16 was secured only on the final matchday of the league phase following a 2-0 victory over Galatasaray.
Reinforcements arrived in the winter window with the additions of Semenyo and Marc Guehi. Those moves have boosted belief within the English camp that they can dump the 15-time champions out of the same competition where they are regarded as 'landlords'.
Source: Getty Images
Man City vs Real Madrid rivalry continues
This fixture has quickly become a modern European classic. Each meeting carries drama, tension and fine margins.
Should City advance, a quarter-final clash awaits against either Atalanta or Bayern Munich.
Progress beyond that would set up a semi-final against one of PSG, Chelsea, Galatasaray or Liverpool.
For Ghanaian supporters, however, the spotlight will be firmly on Semenyo. A new stage, a global audience and the bright lights of Madrid await. Moments like these define careers.
Below is the Round of 16 draw in full
- PSG vs Chelsea
- Galatasaray vs Liverpool
- Real Madrid vs Man City
- Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
- Newcastle vs Barcelona
- Atletico vs Spurs
- Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP
- Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
Supercomputer backs Man City to beat Madrid
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a supercomputer projected the winners of the Round of 16 ties following Friday’s draw.
The predictive model favoured Manchester City to overcome Real Madrid and tipped Chelsea to knock out reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Source: YEN.com.gh
