Real Madrid have asked UEFA for special dispensation to close the Bernabeu roof in a bid to recreate the Etihad’s intimidating atmosphere that shook Carlo Ancelotti’s side last year.
Manchester City will find out on Tuesday afternoon if the request has been granted, with Real hopeful of nearly 80,000 supporters attending in white.
Real chiefs had remarked that the atmosphere at last season’s 4-0 defeat saw their team ambushed and want to make the Bernabeu as hostile as possible for this Champions Leaguequarter-final first leg.
The retractable roof was installed during the extensive renovations of the stadium and was used for the last-16 home tie against RB Leipzig.
City, who drew here 1-1 last year before the demolition job in the home leg, are warning the Spanish giants that their experience of lifting the European crown has made them more dangerous.
‘It gives you more, composure, serenity on the pitch,’ Rodri said. ‘And you learn, we’ve learned from the past.
‘We’ve had the experience and we are more mature than when we first played against each other. When we face this team, especially here, we know how we have to fight them and play against them.’
Carlo Ancelotti had claimed Real lacked courage and personality at the Etihad Stadium but that was refuted by Pep Guardiola.
‘At these teams it seems that when you lose it’s because you play very badly,’ Guardiola said. ‘That’s not the case. We were better and we did many things well. Before we didn’t fly (in Europe). We did it once, we can do it again.’
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