Donnarumma, Haaland & Rodri return as Pep Guardiola makes eight Man City changes for Real Madrid clash | OneFootball

For the first time in Champions League history, Manchester City will take on Real Madrid for the fifth consecutive knockout campaign.

The Cityzens are gearing up for yet another trip to Santiago Bernabeu, with both sides set to lock horns for their Champions League last 16 first-leg clash.

City qualified for the last 16 after accumulating 16 points in the League Phase.

Interestingly, one of their five League Phase victories came against Madrid, with goals from Erling Braut Haaland and Nico O’Reilly steering Pep Guardiola’s troops to a 2-1 win.

It was only their second win in eight visits to the Bernabeu (D2, L4), but City also claimed crucial wins against Napoli, Villarreal, Borussia Dortmund, and Galatasaray.

Since the end of January, City have been busy on the domestic front. Out of nine matches across English competitions, Guardiola’s side have won seven and drawn two.

However, one of those draws came against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League that significantly dented their title hopes, leaving the Cityzens seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

Yet, they managed to pick themselves back up with a thumping 3-1 victory over Newcastle United to reach the FA Cup quarter-final.

Guardiola is now gearing up for his 190th Champions League game as a manager, which will see the Spanish tactician draw level with Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, he has his work cut out considering his side have won only two of their last eight Champions League games on the road (D1 L5).

City have also lost seven of their last 10 two-legged ties against Spanish teams in UEFA competition.

How Man City could line up

Guardiola is poised to ring the changes from the side that sent Newcastle packing in the FA Cup.

A number of heavy-hitters are expected to return to the XI, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is poised to replace James Trafford in goal.

Matheus Nunes should be joined by Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, and Rayan Ait-Nouri in defence.

Rodri should also return to midfield alongside O’Reilly, while Bernardo Silva, Antoine Semenyo, and Omar Marmoush line up behind Haaland.