Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen is backing Manchester City to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday evening.
City will travel to the Spanish capital with a 1-0 lead to their name after the first-leg at the Etihad Stadium last Tuesday. Kevin De Bruyne netted the only goal of the game in the second-half to put Pep Guardiola's side in front at the halfway stage of the tie.
City, who played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, were forced to be extremely patient against Atletico, with Diego Simeone's side showing little intent to win the game. They sat deep and formed low-blocks to make life as difficult as possible for the Blues.
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But with the Spanish giants a goal down ahead of the second-leg, they will have no choice but to be more expansive and open up in their efforts to turn the tie on its head. And that approach, in the opinion of Owen, could play into City's hands, enabling them to progress to the last-four.
Owen told BetVictor : "I'm looking forward to this one. The game in Manchester wasn't much of a spectacle, but 1-0 wasn't a bad result for Atletico. They'll have to go for it here, and the atmosphere should be fantastic.
"I think Atletico opening up will suit Man City though, I can see them getting a couple of goals. I think they'll edge this 2-1."
Although a draw would be enough for City to seal their place in the semi-finals, manager Guardiola, following last week's first-leg, confirmed his side would travel to Madrid with the target of winning the contest, explaining: "We played an incredible top side who are difficult to face but it is a good result. We had chances to score a second and third.
"The guys were playing well but with Gabriel (Jesus) coming inside it gives us special energy and with Jack (Grealish) to keep the ball. When we make a sub it is because we think it can be a bit better.
"It works sometimes but other times it doesn't. It is not easy to face a team with a lot of experience in this tournament.
"We will go there to score and try and win again."
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