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Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: Preview, team news, prediction for Champions League match
For the fourth consecutive season, Manchester City and Real Madrid will meet in the Champions League.
This time the teams will face off in an unlikely round, as they prepare for a two-legged knockout phase play-off tie to try to move on to the round of 16.
The first leg goes on Tuesday in Manchester, with the Sky Blues coming off an entirely-too-close 2-1 victory over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. Prior to that, City were demolished 5-1 by Arsenal in the Premier League, so they aren't exactly firing on all cylinders ahead of this match.
As for Real Madrid, they remain atop La Liga following a 1-1 draw over the weekend against intra-city rivals Atletico, extending their unbeaten run across all competitions to eight matches.
Here's what to know about Manchester City and Real Madrid before their first-leg match.
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: Head-to-head and recent statistics
- All-time meetings: 12
- Manchester City wins: 4
- Draws: 5
- Real Madrid wins: 3
Man City hold a slight edge in the all-time meetings between these sides, with four wins in 12 matches.
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: Team news
Manchester City
- Injured: Rodri, Bobb
- Suspended: None
Real Madrid
- Injured: Militao, Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Vazquez
- Suspended: None
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: What the managers are saying
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City
(via ManCity.com)
“It’s impossible in 180 minutes or 200 if it goes to extra time to control these players. Everyone knows it - I don’t say anything new.
“All [Real Madrid players] are exceptional. Everyone knows it. How they combine, how they keep the ball… we need to reduce their involvement as much as possible.
“They have courage to play. They have ability. It doesn’t matter if the opponents are close, they can find passes. They have movement in behind.
“But we have to try to impose our game. We have to be smart, especially in the first leg.
“It’s important to read the tempo [of the game] in order to get a result to take to the Bernabeu.”
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid
(via RealMadrid.com)
“They had a difficult spell because of injuries, but in the last few games, they've looked like a good team, as competitive as ever. I can't imagine they're not strong. They have fantastic players and a fantastic coach.”
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
Man City have been nothing short of unpredictable this season, looking woeful in one match and like world beaters in the next. Given the stakes, they will go all out for a result at home but may not be able to stop Real Madrid's firepower.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid
