Al's well for striker eyed by Los Blancos

HOW ALVAREZ COULD HAVE SIGNED FOR REAL BUT ENDED UP AT CITY

- JOE BRAY

LAST season, when City destroyed Real Madrid in the Champions League at the Etihad, Julian Alvarez strolled off the bench to add the icing on the cake of one of the Blues' best-ever European performances.

Alvarez wants more than a fiveminute cameo when City and Madrid lock horns again this season, knowing there will be a clear plan in place to beat the Spanish giants for a second season running for him to express himself.

Had history taken a different turn 13 years ago, however, Alvarez could have been part of the shellshocked Real side who were blown away by City 12 months ago and who are looking for revenge this month.

Back in 2011, when Julian A Alvarez was a promising 11-year-old playing for his local team in Argentina, he was invited to Girona, Spain, for a month-long trial with Real Madrid. He played a tournament wearing the famous white strip of Real, impressing their coaches and doing enough for the club to explore a deal to sign him permanently.