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English teams should not fear the Santiago Bernabéu if past results are anything to go by

Manchester City are in uncharted territory. They come into tonight's semi-final second leg agains...



English teams should not fear...
Soccer

English teams should not fear the Santiago Bernabéu if past results are anything to go by

Manchester City are in uncharted territory. They come into tonight's semi-final second leg against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on the back of a scoreless draw and have a real opportunity of reaching a first ever Champions League final.

Madrid have only lost once in the Champions League this season, a 2-0 defeat to Wolfsburg in the previous round, which they atoned with a 3-0 victory at home courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick.

In fact, they've only lost twice in their last twenty-five home Champions League fixtures. Looking at those figures, you wouldn't give Manchester City much of a chance. The beauty of tonight, however, is that there won't be a need to a win for the visiting team. A score draw will be just as good.

Furthermore, Real Madrid's record against English team's since the turn of millennium has also been less than convincing, particularly on home turf.

Vicente del Bosque's Madrid side eliminated Manchester united from the competition in 2003, a 3-1 win in Spain was enough to guide them to victory, even after United's thrilling 4-3 victory in the reverse leg.

Luis Figo scored twice against United at the Bernabéu. Image: Adam Davy / EMPICS Sport

Thankfully for English clubs, that's the last time they have beaten a Premier League side at home in the knockout stages of the competition.

Arsene Wenger took his Arsenal side to Madrid in the last 16 of the 2006 tournament and had Thierry Henry to thank as he skipped by three defenders to grab the only goal of the tie. Arsenal would go on to be beaten by Barcelona in the final of the competition.

Liverpool have mostly fond memories in the Champions League, one of which was their 1-0 win away to the Spanish giants in 2009.

A team which featured the Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres at his peak for the game at the Bernabéu, Yossi Benayoun secured victory with a free header.

More recently, Manchester United took their title winning team of 2013 to the home of Real Madrid in a match billed as Ronaldo's return against his old club.

The Portuguese captain played a starring role in the game scoring in the first half, but United played without fear and snatched a crucial away goal as the sides drew 1-1 in Spain. Madrid would go on to win the second leg after United went down to 10 men with Nani's dismissal.

Since 2000, Madrid have faced English teams three times at the Santiago Bernabéu in the knockout section of the competition; winning once, drawing once and losing twice.

Manuel Pellegrini's side face a difficult task this evening but must play without fear if they are to get anything from the game. 

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