Sterling says Man City prepared for Real Madrid duel

Manchester, UK, Apr 25 (EFE).- Raheem Sterling said Real Madrid had managed to score “vital goals late on” in their Champions League campaign but that Manchester City were ready to handle the pressure of taking on the visiting Spaniards when the first leg of the semifinal gets underway at the Etihad on Tuesday.

City’s number seven made the remarks at a press conference Monday ahead of the high-profile clash.

“They (Real Madrid) have, last couple of games, scored some vital goals late on but we have the players that have been in high pressure games to know how to deal with them and come tomorrow night I think we’ll be fine over the two legs,” the England international added.

Real Madrid battled back against Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 of the Champions League and again against Chelsea in the quarter-finals, while Manchester City thrashed Sporting and edged past Atlético Madrid.

But the stakes are high for the English Premier League team, who have won zero Champions League titles to Real Madrid’s 13.

“Every season we come in, we’re a club that’s always looking to challenge for all the big trophies and the Champions League is the one that we haven’t quite got our hands on and it’s the one that we’re focused on,” he said. EFE

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