Raphael Varane expects Real Madrid's Champions League return leg against Manchester City to be very different than it could have been.
The crunch last-16 clash was meant to go ahead in March but was postponed when the Spanish team were forced into quarantine before being rearranged for August 7 as part of the plans to complete the season following three months off owing to the pandemic.
Pep Guardiola has warned about the historic strength of Real in the competition as he looks to prepare his side as well as possible for the game a week on Friday.
As well as agreeing with the City manager about their experience, defender Varane thinks form could prove important as they take on a home side that will not have any fans to cheer them on, with the confidence that Zinedine Zidane's team have built up in contrast to their results before the lockdown.
“Without fans, it will surely be different. We always want to win, we are Real Madrid. We’re coming off a great streak of wins so you can imagine how much confidence we’ve gained," he told UEFA.
"There are no matches just before, so we have time to prepare for the game. It will really be the best team on the day that goes through.
"We have the experience of major events. So we approach with perhaps a little more serenity, but always the same determination. And above all, we know the pitfalls to avoid. This is a bit of the experience we have over the past few years."
