Former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips believes that Pep Guardiola's side "can win" against Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League showdown as long as they "cut the mistakes out".
The Citizens have committed eight errors leading to goals in the Premier League this term, their most in a season under Guardiola, while they also made six errors leading to shots on goal during an underwhelming campaign in the League Phase of the Champions League.
Man City came from behind to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in their final League Phase fixture to avoid a shock elimination and scrape through to the playoff round, despite accumulating only 11 points across their eight matches.
If they wish to advance to the last 16, Guardiola's side must prevail over two legs against Champions League holders Real Madrid, who they will lock horns with for the fourth successive season.
While Man City have had their fair share of struggles this season, Real Madrid have also been far from their best at times, finishing 11th in the 36-team UCL table, and they will travel to the Etihad Stadium without five injured defenders.
As well as Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao nursing long-term ACL injuries, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez are also in the treatment room, the latter of whom picked up a muscle problem in Real's 1-1 draw with rivals Atletico Madrid last weekend.
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Wright-Phillips backs Man City to beat Real Madrid in Champions League
Man City legend Wright-Philips is still looking forward to Tuesday's contest, even though both the Citizens and Real have not reached the heights expected this season, telling Sports Mole: "I still think it'll be a big game. I still think it'll be just as exciting.
"It's going to be different because Vinicius Junior is not going to be scared of Kyle Walker in many ways. And then on the Real Madrid side, you've got [the likes of] Carvajal and Rudiger that are injured for that game.
"So I see it being a game of goals, to be honest with you, and if City cut the mistakes out, I possibly think they can win it. I reckon they can win that tie, to be honest with you."
Man City, who beat Leyton Orient 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round last weekend, have been eliminated by Real Madrid on three occasions in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, more than they have against any other team in the competition despite only losing three of their 12 encounters with Los Blancos (W4 D5).
Nevertheless, Man City supporters can take some comfort from the fact that Real Madrid's 25% win percentage against the Citizens is their lowest against an opponent in European Cup/Champions League history.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of BetVictor.
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Oliver Thomas
