PREVIEW: Real Madrid and Manchester City clash for fifth straight UCL season | OneFootball

Manchester City travel to the Estadio Bernabéu tonight, as they face Real Madrid in a Champions League knockout tie for the fifth consecutive season.

Throughout those previous four knockout ties, the Citizens have only come out victorious on one occasion, over two legs, that being a 5-1 aggregate win en route to their famous treble and maiden UCL title in 2023. The two sides have already met this season as well, in the league phase, where City picked up a 2-1 win in the Spanish capital thanks to goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland.

City advanced from the league phase in 8th place, taking the final qualifying spot for the round of 16, whilst Los Blancos had to battle past Joe Mourinho’s Benfica side in the play-off round to set up this clash.

Domestically, both teams remain embroiled in thrilling title races, with Real Madrid four points behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga and Manchester City seven points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Citizens also remain in both cup competitions, having reached the final of the Carabao Cup and the quarter-final of the FA Cup where they will take on Arsenal and Liverpool respectively. Meanwhile, Madrid exited the Copa Del Rey in the round of 16, falling victim to a huge upset from second division side Albacete who netted a 94th minute winner to defeat the Spanish giants.

It looks as though hosts will have some injury woes coming into this one, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham set to miss out for Real Madrid as well as Rodrygo who suffered a recent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which has brought his season to an end. Defenders Eder Militao and David Alaba also remain sidelined with injury. Much to the delight of Pep Guardiola however, Erling Haaland should be ready and available for tomorrow night after the Norwegian missed out on his side’s trip to Newcastle United in the FA Cup this past weekend.

It will of course be a clash of two Spanish managers in the dugout tomorrow night, with Álvaro Arbeloa taking charge of his 14th game for Real since being appointed in January and Pep Guardiola remaining at the helm of Manchester City for his 579th competitive game in charge.

Both managers have spoken with the media ahead of this one, with Guardiola speaking on the mental side of anothe trip to the Bernabéu. “We have to face the game and opponent with incredible respect, but have to look in eyes and say ‘this is who we are as a team’. If we do it, maybe we are lucky and go through, next one maybe not. So you have to be who you are when in this stage against big teams.”

Meanwhile Arbeloa spoke on his feelings ahead of taking charge against the Mancunian side for the first time. “It will be a tough game against a great opponent, with great players and a great coach. It’s a very exciting and highly anticipated match for the fans. We are fully aware that we need them with the sole objective of winning the game, which is how we’re going to approach it on the pitch. We are very motivated. You all know how special the Champions League is for all of us, and with that mindset, desire, and enthusiasm, we want to play this game.”

The game will take place on Wednesday March 11th, kick-off is scheduled for 8pm (UK time.)