Manchester City know all too well the challenge that a wounded Real Madrid will pose. | OneFootball

In what has become an annual tradition, Manchester City will take on Real Madrid in a two-legged tie in the Champions League. The first-leg of the Round of 16 tie between the two teams will take place at the Bernabeu tomorrow night. Pep Guardiola’s side enters the match full of confidence after their impressive performance in their 3-1 win over Newcastle on the weekend. City will face a Real Madrid side who have a host of key players unavailable due to injury. Despite the fact that Real Madrid will be missing seven important players, City will know the challenge that awaits them at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid have seven players unavailable for tomorrow night’s match.

Mario Cortegana of the Athletic has reported that Real Madrid will be missing seven players due to injury for the match against Manchester City. Cortegana has reported that Eder Militao, David Alaba, Alvaro Carreras, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo all failed to train ahead of tomorrow night’s match at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa will have to get creative with his team selection to cover the loss of of so many key players for such a big match.

Manchester City know that despite the fact that Real Madrid are wounded they will not roll over at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid are weakened for tomorrow night’s Round of 16 first-leg tie at the Bernabeu against Manchester City. The loss of a host of key defenders and Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham is a huge blow for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side. Despite this, Real Madrid will be tough to beat at the Bernabeu. They always are no matter who takes the pitch for the Spanish giants. Given the fact that City and Real Madrid face off annually, Pep Guardiola’s side knows the challenge that awaits them tomorrow night. With Real Madrid missing a host of key players, all City can do is focus on their own performance. This fact wasn’t lost on Pep Guardiola when he spoke earlier today.

Speaking during his pre-game press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s match, Pep Guardiola said he hasn’t thought about how Real Madrid are playing or their injury issues. The Manchester City manager is only focused on his team’s preparation and performance. He explained l: “I can’t think about how Real Madrid is playing. I don’t see them train and I don’t know their reality.”

“I want to think it’s going to be the same us in the last games when we’ve done some good things and some not good things.”

“They treat us very well and we’ll have a good dinner, then tomorrow we prepare the game and we will have to give a good performance with our people and fans.”

Final thoughts.

Real Madrid are wounded for tomorrow night’s Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against Manchester City. There is no doubt about that. Despite this, City know that facing off against the La Liga giants is a formidable proposition no matter who Real Madrid put out on the pitch. Pep Guardiola is only focused on his team and their performance and preparation ahead of tomorrow night’s match. That is all City can do as they bid to take control of their Round of 16 tie at the Bernabeu tomorrow night.