Man City vs Real Madrid: Recalling when Kelechi Iheanacho’s dream came true

The Super Eagles attacker made his European bow at the elite stage in one of his 64 appearances for the Citizens

In 2016, Kelechi Iheanacho was a thing for Manchester City. Under Chilean manager, Manuel Pellegrini, he showed substance and a goalscoring touch considered quite special for his age – 19 at the time.

After making his debut in the UEFA Champions League against Dynamo Kiev, Iheanacho went on to feature in what was at the time the Citizens’ biggest European fixture ever.

Manchester City hosted Real Madrid at the Etihad in the semifinal of the Champions League in 2016. It was the Citizens’ first time of making it so far in the competition and a suggestion to what is possible in the future. The game ended in a drab goalless draw with Iheanacho getting some minutes under his belt.

In the second leg fixture against the Los Blancos, a 38th minute injury to David Silva saw Pellegrini place a heavy responsibility on his teenage attacker. Up until that point, Iheanacho had hit double figures in goals and had proven to be a lethal finisher.

He replaced Silva but couldn’t prevent his side’s loss courtesy of a Fernando 20th-minute own goal.

While Iheanacho has since joined Leicester, Man City are in the same fixture again against the 13-time European champions, at the same stage of the competition and this time, a defeat will be inexcusable.

Iheanacho lived a dream when he faced the biggest team in the world, but Man City also have a dream and goal to fulfill now.