Why the Santiago Bernabeu roof will be closed for Real Madrid vs Man City

UEFA have granted Real Madrid's request for the Santiago Bernabeu roof to be closed when they take on Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

The two European heavyweights renew their rivalry for a third successive season, this time at the last eight stage after meeting in the semi-finals during 2021/22 and 2022/23.

City emerged last victorious last season before beating Inter to win their first-ever Champions League crown, while Madrid triumphed a year earlier ahead of downing Liverpool in Paris - a win that sealed a record-breaking 14th European title.

Madrid had requested that their newly refurbished 85,000 capacity home have the roof shut on Tuesday, and following a meeting between match delegates and referee Francois Letexier, the decision has been made to grant Madrid's wish. They were also granted permission to close the roof for their last 16 clash with RB Leipzig four weeks ago.

Why is the roof closed for Real Madrid's clash with Man City?

The short answer as to why the roof is closed is because Madrid want to create a thunderous atmosphere that can provide the perfect backdrop for what many neutrals hope will be one of the season's most entertaining ties.

There's no UEFA ruling that prevents Madrid from making such a request, nor is their previous rejections to use as a guideline - it's essentially a practice that is incredibly uncommon because most purpose-built Football stadiums around the world do not have a retractable roof.

Madrid clearly feel their is an advantage to be had by containing the noise from within the stadium, so Pep Guardiola's challenge will now be keeping his players focused ahead of a fourth trip to the Spanish capital under his management.

City's only win under the Spaniard in Madrid came in February 2020, when Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne turned the first leg of their last 16 tie on its head after Isco's opening goal on the hour.

The two teams had to wait over five months to play the second leg because of the Covid-19 pandemic - which forced Football around the world to be suspended - and City were the winners on that night too. They ended up being eliminated by outsiders Lyon in the quarter-finals when the remainder of that season's comPetition was played in one-legged ties in Portugal.

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