Man City VS Real Madrid in Champions League Playoff
Manchester City is set to face off against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie tonight at the Etihad Stadium. The winner of the two-legged matchup will secure a spot in the competition’s last 16, while the loser will be eliminated.
Team News and Injuries
Manchester City’s new signing, Nico Gonzalez, is expected to be available for selection after recovering from a forceful kick he received during his debut against Leyton Orient. However, Vitor Reis is ineligible due to not being registered for the competition. Jeremy Doku and Nathan Ake’s availability remains uncertain.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, is dealing with defensive injury woes. Lucas Vazquez suffered a hamstring injury over the weekend and will be out for several weeks. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are recovering from anterior cruciate ligament injuries, while Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are nursing thigh and muscular injuries, respectively.
Match Preview
Manchester City comes into the match after progressing to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a win over Leyton Orient. The team has been inconsistent this season, but a win against Real Madrid could redefine their campaign.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, remains top of La Liga after a draw with Atletico Madrid. The team has never failed to reach the last 16 stage of the Champions League since the 1997/98 season.
Head-to-Head
The two teams last met in the Champions League in April 2024, with Real Madrid winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City: Ortega; Akanji, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Silva; Foden, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Match Details
– Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
– Time: 20:00 GMT
– Venue: Etihad Stadium
– Referee: Clement Turpin
– TV Channel: Amazon Prime UK
Match Odds
– Manchester City: 13/10
– Draw: 14/5
– Real Madrid: 7/4
