Manchester City enter the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid next week with an advantage of a 4-3 win in the first leg at the Etihad.
Ahead of the clash between the two sides, Spanish newspaper AS interviewed the Citizens owned player, Yangel Herrera, who is currently on loan at Espanyol.
Prior to Los Blancos’ crucial tie against Manchester City, they will have to face Espanyol later today.
The defensive midfielder is of the belief the English champions’ result and performance against Carlo Ancelotti’s side should give Espanyol confidence for the tie at the Bernabéu.
“It was a great match. It was very clear, City were far superior to Madrid, which even so came out very well to go to the Bernabéu with all the confidence. And we already know how they become strong there in the Champions League…” he said.
“It’s an ideal scenario for us [Espanyol] to go to the Bernabéu with Madrid thinking about City, with the Champions League semifinal yet to be decided. Obviously, Madrid is always Madrid, and more so at home, but it suits us that way.”
Manchester City took the Venezuela international from Atlético Venezuela in 2017. The 24-year-old, however, is yet to represent the Premier League winners as he has been out on loan since then.
Fernandinho has confirmed he will leave Pep Guardiola’s side after this season. When asked whether he could replace the Brazilian in Manchester next season, Herrera said: “I won’t know that until the season is over, but we’ll see. It would be pretty nice. I have tried to do things in the best way to be able to opt for great challenges in the summer.”
“Yes, of course. I dream of being there [for Manchester City against Real Madrid], of playing Champions, knockout rounds. I hope to make it.
“[Miss stability] Very much. It’s what I want most today. Settle into a team and be calm. These dates arrive and you are already with that uncertainty of where you will play. That wears you out a bit. I’ve been at it for several seasons, and what I’m looking for this year is to be able to settle in a team.”
Meanwhile, Herrera went on to explain how football and Manchester City changed his life.
“I left behind a dangerous environment, but I also had to adapt and decide what friends to make, who to approach, because there are temptations everywhere,” he stressed.
“Yes, I can say yes, that football has saved my life. They changed it for me. I was playing in my country and suddenly they signed me and sent me to New York City. It was a big jump at the time, and it has allowed me to settle in Europe in the long run.”
