Defender Kyle Walker feels Manchester City owe it to membership proprietor Sheikh Mansour to win the Champions League.
City are eyeing up European membership soccer’s prime prize as soon as once more after years of close to misses of their quest to land the trophy for the primary time.
Losing to Chelsea within the last two years in the past is the closest they’ve come, however Wednesday brings one other alternative to succeed in the showpiece fixture as they host Real Madrid within the second leg of their semi-final.
The tie is delicately poised after a 1-1 draw within the Spanish capital final week.
City have received the Premier League six occasions because the sheikh purchased the membership in 2008 – and are on the point of a seventh home title – however the Champions League has lengthy been seen as their ‘holy grail’.
Right-back Walker stated: “The club is missing that one and, (with) the owners and the amount of money they have pumped into this club and the investment they have done, we owe that to them.
“To get to the Champions League last towards Chelsea and never carry out in addition to we will, we owe that to ourselves and get some revenge for ourselves as a result of we all know that was under par on that day.
“But we have a tough opponent to get past to get to the Champions League final. It’s a ‘final’, anything can happen. The first thing is getting past Real Madrid and then let’s see about the final.”
City dominated the primary leg on the Bernabeu by way of possession, however Real have been incisive on the counter-attack and created extra clear-cut alternatives.
Walker was concerned in a troublesome battle with the pacey Vinicius Junior, who scored Real’s aim, and the City defender is relishing one other encounter with the Brazilian.
The pair embraced in an indication of respect after final week’s assembly, however Walker has revealed there was additionally further significance within the gesture.
He stated: “I went to hug him because he tried to rainbow flick me, so it was kind of like, ‘Please don’t try that again – I don’t want to be a meme’.
“But boxers struggle, have an excellent battle, after which they shake palms after, and that’s the stage of respect I do have for him.
“It’s the same with any other player, when it is a good game, you go and give them that level of respect because they deserve it.
“I’ll give him the respect he deserves (after the ultimate whistle), however earlier than then it’s canine eat canine.
“It is a personal battle where you are coming up against one of the best players in the world.
“I’ve confronted many over time who’ve been simply pretty much as good as him, however I believe he’s in the most effective type of his life, so whoever is picked to play in that place to defend towards him it’s going to be an ideal battle.”
It could be a memorable week for City, who will also retain the Premier League title if they beat Chelsea on Sunday.
Walker said: “I believe it’s huge to everybody in that dressing room. We know the objectives on the finish of it – it’s a huge week for the membership.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr
