Manchester City and Real Madrid both failed to finish inside the top eight during the league phase and will now go up against each other for a place in the last 16.
Not many would have predicted that the last two winners of the UEFA Champions League would fail to secure an automatic spot in the round of 16. Defending champions Real Madrid will hit the road to face English giants Manchester City in the first leg at the Etihad on Tuesday.
The home team are going through one of the most difficult seasons in recent history. They have been far from their best both in the Premier League and in Europe. Manchester City were on the verge of missing out from the knockout rounds but a win on the final matchday helped them finish 22nd on the table.
After a poor first half of the season, they have slowly got things back on track and have won four out of their last six games across competitions. However, Manchester City have not been consistent and are not going to find it easy against Real Madrid.
The visitors endured a poor start to the 2024/25 season, but they have bounced back. Los Blancos are leading the race for the league title and finished 11th in the UEFA Champions League league phase thanks to a run of three straight wins.
While they have got the job done on most occasions, Carlo Ancelotti’s team have struggled in the big games. With all of their first-choice centre-backs and right-backs out injured, they will be tested to their limit in this two-legged tie.
Manchester City and Real Madrid have faced each other in the knockout phase of the last three editions of the tournament. Los Blancos have progressed on two occasions, while Pep Guardiola’s team smashed the Spanish giants 5-1 during the 2022/23 campaign. It promises to be a mouthwatering clash between two European giants. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
Nico Gonzalez picked up an injury on his debut and has joined Oscar Bobb, Ederson, Nathan Ake, and Jeremy Doku on the sidelines. All five of them are doubtful ahead of this fixture, while Rodri remains out injured despite being added to their UEFA Champions League squad.
Pepe Guardiola’s team will most likely line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Ederson is expected to start in goal. If he fails to be a hundred percent in time for this fixture then Stefan Ortega will take charge in that role.
The back four will be made up of Matheus Nunes, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. While Nunes is not really a right-back the Manchester City manager has used him in that role of late and could continue with that against Real Madrid.
In the centre of the park, Bernardo Silva should partner with Mateo Kovacic. The duo will be looking to control the tempo and ensure they have the majority of the ball. Kevin De Bruyne should take up the number ten role for this all-important fixture with Foden and Savinho on the flanks. Star striker Erling Haaland should continue to lead the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland
Real Madrid
Los Blancos have suffered another massive blow as Lucas Vazquez is now out injured ahead of this fixture. Carlo Ancelotti won’t have any of his first-choice centre-backs or right-backs for this fixture. Vazquez joins Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal on the sidelines.
Ancelotti’s team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Thibaut Courtois should be in goal. Federico Valverde will be asked to feature at right, while Ferland Mendy should take charge on the left flanks. Aurelien Tchouameni will continue to partner Raul Asencio at the heart of the defence.
With Valverde and Tchouameni both taking up defensive duties, Eduardo Camavinga should partner Luka Modric in the centre of the park. While Jude Bellingham will feature in the number ten role, he will have to put in an incredible shift in defence. Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior will feature on the flanks while Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Camavinga, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe
Key Stats
- Real Madrid and Manchester City faced each other in the quarter-finals last season. Both games ended in a draw and the team in white made it through with the help of penalties.
- Both teams have faced each other in each of the last three seasons with Los Blancos progressing on two occasions.
- Manchester City have the upper hand in terms of head-to-head as they have won four out of the 12 matches between the two. Real Madrid have three wins to their name, while five games have ended in a draw.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s team are pushing for a record-extending 16th Champions League title.
- The home team have won four out of the last six games across competitions.
Player to Watch
Federico Valverde
While all the limelight will be on the two star-studded attacks, Valverde might end up being the most important player in this fixture. He will take up the role of a right-back with Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal out injured.
Manchester City will certainly target the right flank and the 26-year-old will have to deliver in an unfamiliar position to ensure his team stays alive in the tie heading into the second leg. The Uruguayan international even has 12 goal contributions to his name, and it won’t be that big a surprise if he manages to score another banger in this fixture.
Prediction
Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid
Playing at home, Manchester City are expected to be favourites in the first leg. However, they have not been at their best this season, and Pep Guardiola’s team have struggled against quality opposition.
While Los Blancos have a star-studded attack, the same cannot be said about their backline as all their stars are out injured. Both teams will push for a win, but neither might get the desired result. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Etihad.
