"Real Madrid? It will be a huge game, the name itself tells you the story"

Rico Lewis said that the end of the January transfer window marked a "new star" for Manchester City following their 2-1 win over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round, adding that the victory will help them for Tuesday's clash against Real Madrid.

Having narrowly escaped elimination from the Champions League with a win over Club Brugge on the final matchday of the league phase, the reigning Premier League champions take on 'Los Blancos' in the play-off round for a place in the tournament's last 16.

"It will be a huge match, the name itself tells you everything about their history," the 20-year-old said to the microphones of BBC. "The lads in the dressing room have played against them many times, it's already a match that you'll see every year, in the quarter-finals, semi-finals or, like this year, earlier in this competition."

Lewis concluded as he added: "It's a great game and a new start for us, so we want to keep going and this win will help us". Man City will be hoping to get their revenge on the Spaniards are they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League - 3-4 for Real Madrid on aggregate - last season.

 

February 8, 2025