Tuesday gossip

Rob Pollard@RobPollardMCFC

Media Watch: Mendy says facing Zidane is 'special'

All eyes are on Madrid this morning as the press prepare for our Champions League last-16 first-leg tie.

Men's Team
Guardiola v Zidane: Great players who became great managers
Benjamin Mendy has spoken about his admiration for Zinedine Zidane ahead of Wednesday’s game against Real Madrid.
And we’ve also got all the latest Real Madrid team news, as well as the view from Spain.
It’s time for Media Watch…



Interviews
Benjamin Mendy told Sport360’s Alam Khan: “Playing against Real, it will be a special game.
“We are very excited to play this game. For the French people, we know Zidane was a God and to play against him, the team where he is the manager, it will be a pleasure.
“He was an inspiration for me, for all the French people. But we will go there and play against them with fight and play for our team and to try to win. We are going to try to do our best."

Men's Team
Aguero hoping experience can help City progress
Team news
The Stats Zone write: "Real Madrid suffered a shock defeat at Levante at the weekend as they surrendered top spot in La Liga as a result of that 1-0 reverse.
"Eden Hazard picked up an injury in Madrid's loss to Levante and is expected to be missing for a large part of what remains of the season.
"Marco Asensio is edging closer to a return to action following a serious knee injury but this game is expected to come too soon for him.
"Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Isco
"Unavailable: Marco Asensio (Injured), M. Diaz (Injured), Hazard (Injured).

Predictions
Graham Hunter, UEFA’s Real Madrid reporter writes: “Zinédine Zidane has spent most of this season either with Eden Hazard absent or seeking form. Still, it is a blow that his weekend injury keeps the Belgian international out against City. Karim Benzema’s flow of goals has been truncated in 2020 and Los Blancos need to score and win in order to take an advantage to Manchester. Zidane's dilemma? Gareth Bale, Benzema and Vinícius Júnior up front, or a packed midfield where, he hopes, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Federico Valverde and Luka Modrić dictate the match?"
That’s all for today’s Media Watch – but stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest news ahead of the game in Madrid.
And don’t forget a full 90-minute replay of Wednesday’s match can be seen from Thursday on City+.