For the third straight season, Real Madrid and Manchester City are coming up against each other in the Champions League knockout stages. The first of those meetings was an absolute classic. Who can forget Rodrygo's brace when all hope seemed lost? The second was much more one-sided with Pep Guardiola's comfortable winners on their way to winning the competition for the first time. So, what does this meeting hold for two of Europe's best teams?
We have already seen half of the drama unfold. Real Madrid and Manchester City played out a 3-3 draw at Santiago Bernabeu in what was a thrilling game of football.
Bernardo Silva gave the visitors the lead inside 2 minutes. But an own goal from Ruben Dias and one from Rodrygo just a couple of minutes after that put Real Madrid in front. Then it was Manchester City's turn to reply and they did. Goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol in the second half meant they were leading again. A brilliant strike from Fede Valverde made it 3-3 in the 79th minute and that's how it ended.
Of course, the Premier League giants will be the happier of the two, having managed to get a result away in the Spanish capital. Now, it is up to Real Madrid to go to their backyard and defeat them, easier said than done.
Pep Guardiola makes superb claim about Real Madrid
Guardiola seems to hold Real Madrid in the highest regard and knows what Los Blancos can do, especially at home. As reported by The Guardian, the Manchester City manager said:
"Fantastic goals for all three [of City’s] and Valverde as well. We were unfortunate for the deflections but it’s football. What I liked most is how we played in the second half, 2-1 down playing here without much composure. They are so dangerous on transitions and could score more goals but we controlled the game really well. One of the key points in these games is being stable emotionally. It’s fundamental. Take the good moments and be stable in the bad moments.
“It’s Madrid, it’s special. We go 2-3 but here it is never over. We take the result – in one week [on Wednesday] in Manchester it will be sold out and our people will help us to score one goal and we will do the rest. We will try to reach the semi-final."
It is Real Madrid who have the tougher task at hand in the second leg. They have to do something that they failed to do against Guardiola's side in their previous two meetings in Manchester.
In 2022, they lost 4-3 away against Manchester City. Last year, it was completely one-sided with Guardiola's side playing Real Madrid off the park and winning 4-0.