Manchester City vs Real Madrid: 5 players to watch out for | UEFA Champions League 2019-20

#3 Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus scores City's opener

Gabriel Jesus worked his legs to the bone in the first-leg playing almost as a full-back. He tracked back with great efficiency and hardly ever failed to provide himself as an option whenever City attacked.

Jesus scored Manchester City's first goal of the night, popping up behind Sergio Ramos and heading the ball past the clutches of Thibaut Courtois from close range. He also got Sergio Ramos sent off in the dying embers of the game.

The Brazilian has been in great form after the restart and is definitely going to be ready to put on a show at Etihad.

Gabriel Jesus in 2019/20 has 22 goals, 13 assists, a goal contribution every 88 minutes and he's not even the main striker. He's only just getting started, I wouldn't swap him for anyone or sell him at all costs. One of the players we *have* to keep for the future. pic.twitter.com/GQwXMmDcf9

— π (@CrossingTheBall) August 5, 2020

#2 Casemiro

Gundogan battles with Casemiro for the ball

Casemiro has done an excellent job at defensive midfield for Real Madrid this season, and his form after the restart has been encouraging. However, on Friday night, he will have to double down in the absence of Sergio Ramos and provide some steel in front of the Madrid defence that would be led by Miltao and Varane.

Manchester City's free-flowing game is always going to be a threat and Casemiro will need to be at his best if they're to even have a chance of winning at the Etihad. The Brazilian will be in charge of marshalling the midfield and more often than not, these games are won there.

Casemiro genuinely has a case to be considered La Liga’s most important, most consistent player this season. Tomorrow he travels to Manchester. Here’s the interview-profile with him. https://t.co/pBFxDmUaKA

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) August 5, 2020

#1 Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne scores from the spot in the first leg

Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders in the world right now and that has been the case for a few years. The Belgian had a splendid game at the Santiago Bernabeu, setting up City's first and then scoring from the spot to secure their second.

De Bruyne was excellent in Pep Guardiola's midfield, his tenacity proving to be a virtue that Madrid found tough to negotiate with. He was a class apart as Manchester City's captain in the first leg.

Kevin De Bruyne is expected to populate the midfield for City alongside Gundogan and Rodri and on paper, they look more than capable of walking away with another win against the La Liga champions.

De Bruyne elected himself to take the pen 3 times. We need big game personalities at this football club. pic.twitter.com/2hbQLkyEec

— Ferran Torres (@ferranholic) August 5, 2020