It is most likely to be an evenly matched contest. Real Madrid might secure a win over Manchester City here. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have a higher chance based on the previous UCL meetings between the two.
Match info: UEFA Champions League
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Date: Tuesday, 11th February 2025
Time: 9 pm Nigerian time
The last two winners of the Champions League must now fight for their right to qualify for the last 16 of the 2024-25 edition, as Manchester City and Real Madrid collide in Tuesday's colossal first leg at the Etihad.
While the reigning champions of Europe were just one point from sneaking into the top eight, their hosts had to pull off a matchday eight fightback just to avoid the embarrassment of an early exit.
Head-to-head:
- Manchester City have won 4 of the 12 UEFA Champions League meetings between the two teams.
- Real Madrid have recorded 3 victories.
- The remaining 5 clashes ended in draws.
- Man City have scored 21 goals in those games.
- Real Madrid have hit the back of the net 18 times.
- This will be the 13th time that Manchester City will lock horns with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
- Real Madrid have knocked out an English club out of the Champions League knockout stages 13 times.
- Man City vs Real Madrid will be just the fourth fixture in European Cup and UCL history to be played in four consecutive seasons.
- 3 of their last 4 encounters ended in draws in regulation time.
- Only 1 of their previous encounters did not produce at least a goal.
Form:
- Manchester City in the Champions League: L-D-L-L-W
- Manchester City in all competitions: L-W-W-L-W
- Real Madrid in the Champions League: L-L-W-W-W
- Real Madrid in all competitions: W-W-L-W-D
Team News:
- Manchester City will be without the services of Rodri, Jeremy Doku, and Nathan Ake as they are injured. Oscar Bobb and Ederson might find their way back into the squad before the clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
- The visitors, Real Madrid will not have David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Daniel Carvajal for their upcoming UCL clash against Pep Guardiola’s team.
Player(s) to watch:
- Erling Haaland will be expected to put up a top performance as the injury-hit Madrid side are not doing very well when it comes to defending. Some of Los Blancos’ top defenders are out of action due to injury and this will be the perfect time for Haaland to net in some goals and lead his side to a win. This is not going to be an easy task as the UCL giants have previously taken down Man City in the knockout stages.
- Kylian Mbappe is going to have a big responsibility on his hands when the UCL defending champions take on the Premier League giants. Kylian Mbappe scored a goal in Real Madrid’s recent La Liga fixture against Atletico Madrid and saved them from a defeat. He also won the La Liga Player of the Month award for January. With his current form, he will still be a threat to Manchester City’s defence.