Manchester City journey to Real Madrid to resume a rivalry that has arguably come to outline the previous few years of the UEFA Champions League. Wednesday will mark the second of their three conferences this season, and it must be a humdinger.
Ahead of the primary of these, in December, Madrid’s Rodrygo had informed UEFA that “It’s become a true Champions League derby,” however the Brazilian — who has such a wealthy historical past of scoring on this fixture — is not there, an ACL damage ending his season early, and neither is the person who was coach again then. With Xabi Alonso sacked, Pep Guardiola faces one more new Madrid man in cost in Alvaro Arbeloa.
Here’s all the things it’s worthwhile to know concerning the match:
How to look at
The match can be broadcast on Saturday on TNT Sports 1 and Prime Video within the UK, Paramount+ within the U.S., SonyLiv in India and Stan Sport in Australia. You may observe ESPN’s live coverage here.
Key Details
Kick-off time: Wednesday, March 11 at 8 p.m. GMT (3 p.m. ET; 1:30 a.m. IST and seven a.m. AEDT, Thursday)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
VAR: Marco Di Bello (Italy)
Injury News
Real Madrid
Álvaro Carreras, D: OUT, calf
David Alaba, D: OUT, muscle
Éder Militão, D: OUT, tendon
Dani Ceballos, M: OUT, thigh
Jude Bellingham, M: OUT, hamstring
Kylian Mbappé, F: OUT, knee
Rodrygo, F: OUT, knee
Man City
Josko Gvardiol, D: OUT, ankle
Max Alleyne, D: DOUBT, knock
Mateo Kovacic, M: OUT, ankle
Talking Points
Rudiger vs Haaland is at all times field workplace
Antonio Rüdiger is likely one of the greatest centre-backs on this planet and has been for a while. Ditto Erling Haaland within the centre-forward position. In 2024, Rudiger stated, “It’s personal for me as a defensive player, against a super striker like Haaland.” That feeling has made their battles must-watch tv, and whereas Haaland obtained a aim within the newest iteration earlier this season (scoring after profitable a penalty off the German), that is the primary time in 5 makes an attempt that he had scored towards the Madrid centre-back within the UCL.
Neither are at their greatest on this second, however maybe it is a sight of the opposite that might spark their seasons to life. City followers would certainty respect Haaland’s uncommon aim drought ending on Wednesday.
Can Vinicius Jr. step up in Kylian Mbappe’s absence
Like December, Madrid will miss Kylian Mbappé’s immense risk up high of their residence sport towards City, however in contrast to December, Vinicius Jr. is now in wonderful type. The flip of the 12 months appears to have sparked him to life: however the goalscoring charts point out simply how far behind Mbappé he has been this season. In LaLiga, Mbappé has 23 targets to Vinícius’ 9. In the Champions League,Mbappé has 13 to the Brazilian’s three — but when his efficiency towards Benfica was any indication, he is previous that preliminary drought.
Whatever method Arbeloa shapes up, Vinicius will look to float to the left wing and goal Man City’s proper again, Matheus Nunes like he did within the sport in December … and that could possibly be one of many defining battles of the sport.
Speaking of battles: Jérémy Doku vs Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold was one other absentee in December, however he is been a extra everlasting fixture within the group not too long ago. His unimaginable passing vary from deep has opened up extra avenues of scoring for Madrid because the season has worn on and he is gotten onto the wavelength of his forwards. .. however up towards him on Wednesday would be the tempo and directness of Jérémy Doku.
Doku has discovered finish product as a rule this season, seemingly addressing a difficulty that has plagued him for a lot of his City profession and if he as soon as once more finds that early season type, it could possibly be an extended night time on the Bernabeu for Alexander-Arnold and Madrid.
Can Man City repeat their trick from the league stage?
With Madrid this damage hit, the stage could not be higher set for Guardiola to handle his facet to a different win on the Bernabeu. Arbeloa is prone to set his group for the counterattack, one thing his squad is very good at, whereas Guardiola’s possession-heavy strategy will make for an aesthetically pleasing conflict of types. Haaland appears to have discovered an edge on Rudiger lastly, and whereas it is prone to be a good contest, City’s squad depth and Guardiola’s tactical nous may be sufficient for them to edge it once more.
What do the numbers say?
City and Madrid are assembly within the Champions League knockout section for the fifth season in a row, with Madrid profitable the final two ties. They have met 15 occasions in UEFA competitors, with the head-to-head balanced at 5 wins every and 5 attracts
Madrid and the early knockouts are a match made in Florentino Perez heaven: they not often lose. They have gained 13 of their final 15 Champions League spherical of 16 ties and triumphed within the first leg in ten of their final 12 ties.
Man City, although, will not be flustered. They have misplaced solely three of their final 18 UEFA matches towards Spanish groups (W10 D5) even when Premier League membership have misplaced seven of their final ten UEFA two-legged ties towards Spanish groups
