Official: Real Madrid to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs | OneFootball

Real Madrid will face Manchester City in a blockbuster UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 playoff tie, marking the fourth consecutive year in which the two giants of European football will meet.

As in the previous three seasons, the two teams will face off once more. Madrid are the reigning champions, having lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2024, while City won the competition in 2023.

This has become a new European classic, with one of these two clubs set to be eliminated before even reaching the Round of 16.

The first-leg matches of the knockout round will take place on 11 and 12 February at the Etihad, with the return legs scheduled for 18 and 19 February.

The return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu gives Madrid a slight edge, although the quality of their opponents means they will approach the tie with caution.