Sunday 24 April 2016 13:50, UK
Young Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho hopes his fine display against Stoke will earn him some playing time against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
The Spanish giants will be at the Etihad for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final and the in-form Iheanacho may have played himself into contention.
The 19-year-old Nigerian has featured on the scoresheet regularly this term and bagged two more in the 4-0 defeat of Stoke on Saturday, while also winning a penalty which Sergio Aguero converted.
And Iheanacho says it would be a career highlight to line up opposite Real Madrid stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
"I think I should dream about that, because it's a great team to dream about," he said. "It would be a dream come true to play against them.
"Ronaldo and (Barcelona's Lionel) Messi are the greatest players on the planet, so I think playing against them is a big thing to anyone.
"It would be a big thing to me if I play against him on Tuesday.
"I would feel very great, I would feel very happy. I would grab the opportunity and really work hard."
City enjoyed the ideal preparation for their date with Real by running out emphatic winners against Stoke, pulling five points clear of city rivals United in the race for Champions League qualification.
"It was a great performance for everybody, everybody really did well," said Iheanacho. "Everyone is fit to face Madrid.
"It was a big match because we need to stay in the top four, so United are behind us. We needed three points.
"This game is a great preparation for us against Real Madrid. On Tuesday, we need to focus and work hard because they're a good side. I think we are prepared to face them.
"It's a great achievement for the club and for everybody, being in the last four of the tournament. We really need to go forward and get to the final.
"It would be a dream to get to the final, so we're really hoping for that."
