Real Madrid-Manchester City: Madrid aiming to reach Champions League last 16
The Whites, who won the first leg (2-3), face the second leg of the Champions League playoff this evening at the Santiago Bernabéu (9 pm CET).
A huge night of Champions League football is in store at the Santiago Bernabéu, as Real Madrid are in action in the return leg of the playoff tie against Manchester City for a place in the last 16 of the competition (9 pm CET). Ancelotti’s side go into the clash on the back of a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.
This will be the eighth meeting between the two clubs in the last four years in the Champions League. At the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid have claimed one win and two draws on the English side's last three visits. The comeback in the semi-finals of the 2021/22 campaign with two goals from Rodrygo and last season's thrilling match in the first leg of the quarter-finals (3-3) will live long in the memory of all Madridistas.
“We have a small advantage and must play the same game as in the first leg,” said Ancelotti in the press conference ahead of the clash. The Italian coach welcomes back Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez and Alaba to his squad, which also includes Mbappé, Real Madrid’s top scorer with 25 goals, who has found the back of the net in his last three outings.
Manchester City
The English side arrive at the Santiago Bernabéu after thumping Newcastle in the Premier League last weekend with a hat-trick from Marmoush (4-0). Haaland, who bagged a brace in the first leg and has already scored eight goals in the Champions League, will be City's focal point up front.