Man City can down Real Madrid… but Spaniards may have last laugh with Sterling and De Bruyne transfers

RAHEEM STERLING looks set to return from injury for Manchester City at Real Madrid on Wednesday night - and what a fascinating match that should be.

In interviews in Spain and France last week he admitted the idea of playing for Real would interest him at some stage in the future.

It certainly wouldn’t come as a surprise if they were interested in signing him.

Sterling wouldn’t look out of place in their team - despite the stellar names Zinedine Zidane can call upon.

His game under Pep Guardiola has gone to another level in the past couple of years. He’s added more goals and assists, while his all-round positional play is superb.

Don’t forget he’s still only 25, so he should have his best years ahead of him.

I don’t see the Champions League tie as an audition - he will want to put on a show regardless to help City into the quarter-finals.

Yet you don’t need to be a genius to work out the impact of City being banned from Europe for two years if they fail with their appeal.

Whether it is Sterling or another star like Kevin De Bruyne, it doesn’t matter what they may claim - they will want to be playing in Europe. Rival clubs will know that, too.

What an incredible incentive it is for City to try to go on and win it for the first time.

Imagine if they do go all the way and lift the trophy in Istanbul at the end of May. That is a huge message to send to Uefa. City would be sticking two fingers up to them as they attempt to overturn the ban.

Alan Shearer on the message City winning the Champions League would send

When the draw was made in December, this was the standout tie of the round.

City are up against one of the biggest, if not the biggest, team in Europe.

Imagine if they do go all the way and lift the trophy in Istanbul at the end of May. That is a huge message to send to Uefa. City would be sticking two fingers up to them as they attempt to overturn the ban.

I’m expecting a great game and with the number of brilliant players on the pitch, goals are guaranteed.

It’s a tough match to call but Real have suffered a big blow with the loss of Eden Hazard with a broken ankle.

He’s struggled with injuries since joining but when one door closes, another one opens - and that brings us to Gareth Bale.

He came close to leaving for China last year but I totally get why he wants to stay in Madrid.

I don’t get the criticism of him. Look at what he’s achieved there and how he’s helped them win all those trophies, including that stunning overhead kick to win the 2018 final against Liverpool.

If Bale gets a chance on Wednesday night, it is a great chance for him to remind everyone of his talents.

City’s defence has struggled this season and they would certainly be wary of his goal threat.

One thing City need to sort out before this match is their dire recent penalty record.

They have only scored two of their last seven spot-kicks - which is very strange for a club with so many great players.

But once the doubts are in your head it is very difficult to deal with that pressure. When I was playing, if I missed one penalty I couldn’t wait to get another one to stick that away.

After Sergio Aguero became the latest City player to fail from the spot against Leicester, it will be interesting to see who steps up if they get one against Real.