UCL preview: Madrid can overturn 1-2 deficit- Seedorf
Dutch midfield legend, Clarence Seedorf believes Real Madrid can overturn the 1-2 first leg deficit suffered to English side, Manchester City in the 2nd leg tie scheduled to hold at the Etihad Stadium tonight.
Prequel to the sudden break occasioned by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Madrid and City had met at the Santiago Bernabeu, but it was Guardiola’s men who drew first blood despite going down to a Francisco Isco second half strike.
As the two European giants prepare to lock horns again today, Seedorf, who won 4 Champions League titles, believes his former side can overturn the deficit.
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“I think when Zidane came [back], he got that chemistry back in place and after corona, I think Madrid came out solid, when Barcelona came out a bit segregated,” he told Stats Perform News.
“Obviously, when the club with players like [Sergio] Ramos and [Karim] Benzema smell the opportunity against that rival then that creates a motivation that they used and brought it home.
“Ramos and Benzema have been key, key players but, as I said, the whole team has shown a pretty solid shape.
“If you look at them without the results they have now, they are considered definitely [among] the favourites, Manchester City as well – these are two top teams in the world.
“It’s going to be tough to go there and turn it around, but nothing is impossible in that sense. But also, Manchester City need to make up for the average season, if you can call it that.
“They can do it, but it’s tough.”
The former oranje midfielder also spoke about Barcelona’s chances, who play Italian side Napoli having secured a 1-1 draw at Naples
Much is expected of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, a €75million signing from Ajax last year who is yet to make concrete impression with the Catalans.
“He’s a great player, a great talent and we hope to see much more from him over the coming years,” said Seedorf.
“It’s not easy to come to a new country and new club and perform. Barcelona… it’s a privilege to come to a team that knows themselves so well, and you come into the same type of system.
“Frenkie will become better and better hopefully over the next years and we can enjoy his talent on the international pitches.”
