New Delhi: Real Madrid will face one of their major rivals when they meet Manchester City in the Champions League playoffs. With a hotly disputed record between them, the two teams will face each other for the fourth time in the previous four years, according to Friday’s UEFA draw in Nyon, Switzerland. Teams that did not place in the top eight are pitted against one another in this extra round, and although Madrid did not get a perfect draw, it has set up a difficult opening challenge with the mighty Manchester City.
With Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon, Pep Guardiola’s team is Madrid’s first obstacle beyond the league stage. The clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid have evolved into contemporary European club championship classics and a true rivalry now. The teams had faced off 12 times before to the most recent season. Their first encounters took place during the Champions group stage of the 2012–2013 season. The first game saw Madrid win 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu, while the second leg at the Etihad concluded in a 1-1 tie.
The most recent chapter occurred in the quarterfinals of the previous season, as both clubs played some of their greatest games at the Bernabéu, ending in a 3-3 tie. After taking the lead in the pivotal second leg, Madrid showed a strong sense of defensive unity, but City equalized, and Madrid advanced to the semifinals by penalties. It was truly a heart-breaking night for the previous season’s Champions League winners but it was an instant classic.
The knockout phase play-offs are set ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/9KWMSgQWoD
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 31, 2025
How are the two sides performing before the clash?
Madrid are yet to win at the Etihad, where they have lost three games and drawn three in six meetings, despite these fierce contests. However, they will host the second leg at the Bernabéu this time. The first leg and return games are set for the weeks of February 11–12 and February 18–19, respectively. Carlo Ancelotti’s team will take on a struggling, low-morale City, who moved up to 22nd position in the Champions League rankings after a crucial victory over Club Brugge on the final day.
City have three victories, two ties, and three losses so far this season, while the holders Madrid themselves haven’t had the best of seasons where they may have won five of the games, but also had three defeats, ending the league phases at 11th. However, beware Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, as Real Madrid have only lost twice in their previous 15 games in all competitions, with one of them being a 5-2 humiliation by the hands of FC Barcelona.
If we talk about City, they really aren’t having the best time on the pitch are they? Their run of six games unbeaten in all competitions was halted when they took a damaging blow from Paris Saint-Germain in their recent Champions League outing that ended 4-2 in favour of the Parisians. However, City fans may not have recovered from that loss, but the English champions did manage to beat Chelsea in the Premier League to give their fans some confidence.
What does the head-to-head battle suggests?
City and Real have faced-off 13 times since they met for the first time in 2012, and City edge the Spanish giants 5-4 when it comes to wins, with four draws between the two sides. However, with the way City have been playing this season, they have looked extremely weak against bigger clubs, and this time it’s not any club, but the 15-time-champions Real Madrid which only makes it worse for the English champions. This would mean that the holders will be the clear favourites this time to win the clash.
But in football, you can always expect the unexpected as City have made some good signings that could help them get the job done against one of the best teams in Europe. Two of biggest clubs in Europe will be going head to head against each other, and it will be interesting to see how the clash would end.
Real Madrid will be playing Manchester City in the Champions League play-offs, as one of the biggest European rivalries will yet again take the spotlight in the competition. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
