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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
David Byrom

Man City urged not to panic about Real Madrid after Arsenal FA Cup defeat

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester City not to worry ahead of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid.

City were knocked out of the FA Cup with a shock 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in which they struggled to open their opponents up too much.

It means City have just the Champions League left to play for this season having already won the Carabao Cup.

City are set to face Real next month and lead 2-1 from the first leg back in February.

Yet Real have won 10 out of 10 since football restarted and were crowned La Liga champions earlier this week.

Speaking to BT Sport, Ferdinand said City should not panic after the defeat to Arsenal, arguing that Real Madrid will be an entirely different prospect tactically.

He said: "They weren't opening Arsenal up too much but I think Arsenal have to take a lot of credit for that.

"They weren't as sharp as they usually are and they definitely as clinical in the final third.

"Yes, they do miss Sergio Aguero, any team would, he's a top-class player and a goal scorer.

"They're not going to come up against a team that sit back like this in Real Madrid.

"Real Madrid aren't going to pay them this respect and sit back and let Man City attack them and have the ball all the time.

"That's the likes of Atletico Madrid's type of football but Real Madrid are very different.

"They'll be much more open, there'll be more spaces for Man City to play in and I think it will be a very different game."

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