- Man City host Real Madrid in a blockbuster first leg at the Etihad Stadium
- The two sides have developed a fierce European rivalry in recent years
- Both clubs are battling for a place in the Champions League round of 16
Match Preview
Manchester City and Real Madrid meet once again in the Champions League as they battle for a spot in the round of 16. The two European giants have played out some of the most thrilling matches in recent Champions League history, and their latest encounter promises to be no different.
City struggled through the league phase, finishing 22nd in the table after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Club Brugge on Matchday 8. Meanwhile, Madrid had a slow start but climbed to 11th place following back-to-back wins over RB Salzburg and Brest.
Both sides are far from their best this season, but with elite attacking talent on display, this tie has all the makings of another Champions League classic.
Match Details
📍 Location: Manchester, England
🏟 Stadium: Etihad Stadium
📅 Date: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
⏰ Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
👨⚖️ Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)
🎥 VAR: Jerome Brisard (FRA)
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
| Competition | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Champions League | 17 Apr 2024 | Man City 1-1 (3-4p) Real Madrid |
| Champions League | 9 Apr 2024 | Real Madrid 2-2 Man City |
| Champions League | 17 May 2023 | Man City 4-0 Real Madrid |
| Champions League | 9 May 2023 | Real Madrid 1-1 Man City |
| Champions League | 4 May 2022 | Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (AET) |
⚔️ These teams have faced each other in the Champions League in each of the last three seasons
✅ Real Madrid won their most recent encounter on penalties last season
Current Form (All Competitions)
Manchester City
✅ Leyton Orient 1-2 Man City – 08/02/25
❌ Arsenal 5-1 Man City – 02/02/25
✅ Man City 3-1 Club Brugge – 29/01/25
✅ Man City 3-1 Chelsea – 25/01/25
❌ PSG 4-2 Man City – 22/01/25
Real Madrid
➖ Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid – 08/02/25
✅ Leganes 2-3 Real Madrid – 05/02/25
❌ Espanyol 1-0 Real Madrid – 01/02/25
✅ Brest 0-3 Real Madrid – 29/01/25
✅ Real Valladolid 0-3 Real Madrid – 25/01/25
🔥 Man City’s form has been inconsistent, especially in Europe
💪 Real Madrid remain unbeaten in La Liga but have defensive concerns
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Man City Team News
❌ Rodri (ACL injury) – Included in the squad but unlikely to feature
❌ Nathan Ake & Jeremy Doku – Expected to miss out due to injury
❓ Nico Gonzalez (back injury) – Doubtful after limping off vs Leyton Orient
✅ Bernardo Silva & Kevin De Bruyne are set to start
✅ Erling Haaland will lead the attack
Man City Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Ederson
DEF: Akanji – Stones – Dias – Gvardiol
MID: Bernardo – Kovacic
FWD: Foden – De Bruyne – Savinho
ST: Haaland
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid have serious defensive concerns, with multiple key players unavailable:
❌ Lucas Vazquez (hamstring injury) – Out for both legs
❌ Antonio Rudiger (thigh injury) – Unavailable for the first leg
❌ David Alaba, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal – All sidelined
✅ Federico Valverde likely to start at right-back
✅ Vinicius Jr & Kylian Mbappe will lead the attack
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK: Courtois
DEF: Valverde – Tchouameni – Asencio – Mendy
MID: Camavinga – Modric
FWD: Rodrygo – Bellingham – Vinicius Jr
ST: Mbappe
Score Prediction
Both Man City and Real Madrid have defensive vulnerabilities, and given their attacking firepower, this game should be full of goals.
Madrid’s injuries at the back will make it difficult for them to contain Haaland, De Bruyne, and Foden. However, Mbappe, Vinicius, and Bellingham are more than capable of punishing City on the counterattack.
Expect an end-to-end affair with plenty of drama.
🔮 Prediction: Man City 2-3 Real Madrid
Who will take control of this thrilling Champions League showdown? 🤔 ⚽🔥
