In his last column written in The Times, the Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney predicts that Manchester City will not only defeat Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-final but crush the reigning champions.Rooney concludes that City are clear favourites to reach the showdown. “Manchester City will not only beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final but they will be crushed,” he says. “Of course, I could be wrong, but I think City is on another level. You can never rule out a team with experience and the history of Madrid, but I wouldn’t bet on them. I think this is City’s year”.Wayne Rooney:”Manchester City will not beat Real Madrid, they will destroy them.” pic.twitter.com/LjtE2Q03WX— City Chief (@City_Chief) May 7, 2023 Since the beginning of the season, Rooney explains, he has felt that this would be the campaign in which Pep Guardiola would finally conquer Europe with City. “A year ago, Madrid eliminated City, but now the dynamics are different. City are better in defence and are a more patient team, but the biggest change is Erling Haaland. Last season at the Bernabeu the team was crazy for five minutes that made them lose the tie. With Haaland, it would not have happened. Real Madrid could not have played the same way. In both games, they had periods in which they took the ball from City and they were able to do it because City had no real threat in counterattack”.##NAJAVA_MECA_7235091####EDITORS_CHOICE##The former United striker explains Rudiger will be in charge of dealing with the Norwegian striker. “He’s a great competitor who likes one-on-one. Still, I don’t think the German defender can handle Haaland, to be honest. With Haaland’s speed and power, and his movement in the box, I don’t think that no centre-back in the world can stop him.”
