Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Tuesday, in what promises to be a tough test of the Blues' credentials.
This season City are looking to go one better than last year's defeat in the final, but to earn the right to fight for the famous trophy that must overcome one of the most dangerous sides in Europe.
One of the key battles over the two legs is going to be contested by City's central defenders and Los Blancos striker Karim Benzema. The 34-year-old Frenchman is in the form of his career, having scored 39 goals in 40 matches this season.
READ MORE: Rodri admits Man City worries about facing Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema
As Chelsea found out in the quarter-finals, give Benzema half a yard inside the penalty area and he will take full advantage. However, there is another key battle in which victory could see City progress to the final in Paris next month.
As reported by Carrusel Deportivo, Real Madrid's holding midfielder Casemiro is an injury doubt for the game at the Etihad on Tuesday, along with defender David Alaba. Carlo Ancelotti has included both in his matchday squad, but it would be surprising if both, if either, make the starting line-up on Tuesday.
Both are hugely important players for Real Madrid, but the absence of Casemiro might be the one that hurts Real Madrid most. The Brazilian is a master of defensive play, screening the defence so that the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos can construct attacks without having to worry about leaving the back door open.
He also provides legs to what is an ageing midfield unit; Modric (36) and Kroos (32) simply do not have the pace or stamina to cope with elite-level opponents without him.
Like Pep Guardiola, Ancelotti tends to use a 4-3-3 system, meaning we are unlikely to see either side hold a clear numerical advantage in midfield, as was the case when Real Madrid won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge a few weeks ago.
If City opt to press or counter-press Madrid, then they should be aware that Modric and Kroos' passing abilities and spatial awareness could be enough for them to cope. However, without Casemiro, City should be able to out-run Madrid in the middle of the pitch, particularly if Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne are deployed as eights.
Should Ancelotti replace Casemiro with either Eduardo Camavinga (19) or Fede Valverde (23) then that would solve the 'legs' issue, but neither are out-and-out holding midfielders, and do not possess the defensive nouse or experience of Casemiro. The absence of the Brazilian could leave Madrid's already suspect back four short of protection.
The form and dynamism of De Bruyne will be incredibly hard for Madrid to stop, particularly without the 'dark arts' of Casemiro. With Bernardo buzzing around and Rodri constructing the play from deep, it's hard to imagine City not controlling the midfield for large parts on Tuesday's contest. If City make the most of that, then they should be able to take a lead into the second leg at the Bernabeu.
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