Real Madrid have a good chance of drawing Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 and Thibaut Courtois believes it is already a foregone conclusion.
Real Madrid survived an early scare against Benfica on Wedndesday night and moved past the play-off stage with a 3-1 victory on aggregate.
It was not the strongest performance from Alvaro Arebola’s side, but there were key players missing due to injury such as Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
There is now a 50 per cent chance Man City will face Real Madrid in the last 16, a draw which the La Liga team would probably like to avoid. This is particularly true considering Sporting CP are the alternative, a club who are only three points above Benfica in Liga Portugal.
Thibaut Courtois predicts Real Madrid to draw Man City
Real Madrid have just as much of a chance at drawing Sporting as they do City, but Thibaut Courtois is already certain there is a trip to the Etihad in his team’s future.
The goalkeeper has not lined up against the Portuguese team in more than a decade, but Madrid have played Man City more often than not in recent seasons.
Speaking after Real Madrid’s victory over Benfica, Courtois told CBS Sports Golazo: “Yes but you know that tomorrow or the day after we’ll find out it’s Man City.
“It’s true that it’s been a long time since I’ve played Sporting, I think the last time was in 2015 with Chelsea, it’s a beautiful stadium as well. So hopefully we can turn things around, they’re a tough rival as well in the Portuguese league, but it’s true that we’ve been facing Man City for many years.”
Real Madrid knocked out Man City last season
Last year’s Champions League campaign came with its challenges and Man City did not finish inside the top eight.
This required Pep Guardiola’s men to compete in a play-off tie against Real Madrid and they ended up losing both legs, crashing out by a 6-3 score on aggregate.
However, City’s performance in the competition has improved this season and Madrid have looked shaky. Therefore, Guardiola could see a potential meeting between the sides as a good opportunity for progression.
