Real Madrid’s Three-Goal Deficit Fearless Against Guardiola’s Man City in Champions League Rematch

Okay, I need to shorten this content to about 650 words and add some pictures. Let me start by reading through the original article to understand the key points. The main ideas seem to be: Real Madrid’s strong attacking front four (Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo), their issues with tracking back and teamwork under Ancelotti, and the threat they pose to Manchester City despite being a goal down in the first leg. Pep Guardiola’s challenge at the Bernabeu is highlighted as difficult.

First, I’ll eliminate redundant information like the author’s bio, timestamps, and the excessive links or HTML code that isn’t part of the main content. Then, focus on the core paragraphs discussing Real’s attack, Ancelotti’s management, and Guardiola’s tactical challenges.

I notice there are already three images mentioned in the original content. I’ll ensure those are placed appropriately to support the shortened text. Maybe the first image after introducing Real’s front four, the second when discussing the midfield disconnect, and the third when talking about City’s previous struggles at Bernabeu.

I’ll condense the paragraphs by combining related points and trimming over-explained sections. For example, the part about Ancelotti reprimanding the forwards can be summarized without losing the essence. The mention of Vinicius as a pantomime villain can be shortened but retained to emphasize Real’s psychological edge.

Also, the conclusion needs to be concise, reinforcing why Real is a threat even if trailing. I’ll remove any repetitive statements about the Bernabeu’s intimidation factor, keeping just the key example of City’s past struggles there.

Let me check the word count as I rewrite. Each image’s caption will help break up the text and reinforce the points. Ensure that all critical analysis from the original is preserved but presented more succinctly. Remove mentions of the derby in La Liga unless directly relevant to the UCL tie.

Finally, proofread to maintain readability and flow, ensuring the final piece stays around 650 words and the images are logically placed to complement the narrative.
Real Madrid’s Unyielding Threat to Manchester City
By Jack Gaughan

Real Madrid’s attacking stars—Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo—remain a constant threat, even when trailing.

Real Madrid’s star-studded attack carries an aura of invincibility that few teams can match. With a slender 2-1 first-leg lead over Manchester City in their Champions League quarterfinal, Carlo Ancelotti’s side heads to the Bernabéu with confidence—a venue where they’ve historically dominated Guardiola’s City. But questions linger over whether their glittering front four can balance individual brilliance with collective responsibility.

Ancelotti’s Balancing Act
After a lackluster performance in their recent Madrid derby defeat, Ancelotti confronted his attacking quartet over their work ethic. “They weren’t running enough,” he bluntly admitted. The disconnect between Madrid’s forwards and midfield has been a recurring theme this season, despite their 59-goal tally. Mbappé’s impending arrival from PSG risks exacerbating the “Galactico problem,” where star power overshadows cohesion. Even during the first leg against City, Ancelotti was seen berating Mbappé and Vinícius for neglecting defensive duties.

Real’s midfield and attack must bridge their gaps to thwart City’s tactical mastery.

City’s Uphill Battle
Pep Guardiola’s men outlasted Madrid in a pulsating first leg, but vulnerabilities remain. Vinícius terrorized City’s defense, hitting the post with a Ronaldinho-esque flick and drawing constant jeers from the Etihad crowd. Yet wastefulness in front of goal—coupled with heroic blocks from Nathan Aké and clutch saves by Stefan Ortega—kept Real from