Manchester City vs Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final second-leg): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How to Watch

Manchester City welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium to determine their fate in the quarter-finals of this year’s edition of the UEFA Champions League.

Following on from the first-leg of this tie, Manchester City’s mission heading into the second-leg is clear. Two options are present for Guardiola’s side to progress to the next stage: win the match within the allotted timeframe or chance their luck in a penalty shootout.

After the enthralling first-leg the two sides treated the fans with, the expectations are high going into Wednesday’s match. Guardiola’s side avoided defeat at the Bernabeu which puts them in a good position for this return fixture.

The first-leg was a spectacle. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for the visitors inside two minutes with a cheeky free-kick from distance which caught Andriy Lunin off guard.

Real Madrid were quick to respond though owing to a deflected 20-yard-strike from Eduardo Camavinga which, unfortunately for the Frenchman, was awarded to Ruben Dias as an own goal.

The Cityzens’ high defensive line was broken through again just minutes after, as Rodrygo raced in behind before rolling the ball through Stefan Ortega’s leg, giving the home side the lead.

Phil Foden has been in magnificent form all season and he continued that during the match with an exquisite strike finding the top corner from the edge of the box, equalising midway through the second-half.

Player of the Match at the Santiago Bernabeu… @PhilFoden! 💫 pic.twitter.com/A49yqFSl6J

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) April 9, 2024

With the scoreline sat at 2-2, Josko Gvardiol unleashed a right-footed rocket across goal to give his side the lead.

The top-quality goals didn’t end there, though. Federico Valverde levelled the match up just eight minutes later, displaying tremendous technique to cut across the ball.

After reclaiming top spot in the Premier League over the weekend, confidence in the Manchester City camp will be high, setting up an exciting encounter for the second leg.

With that being said, here is everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday night’s second leg of the quarter-final clash at the Etihad Stadium!

Match Details

Manchester City are set to take on Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 17^th April, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 (UK).

Team News

Having recovered from illness, Kevin De Bruyne returned to the Manchester City starting 11 for the win against Luton, the expectation is that he will be more involved in the second-leg in comparison to the first-leg of this tie.

Similarly, Ederson also started against The Hatters which increases the probability of him playing at the Etihad on Wednesday.

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake both returned to the squad in the Premier League and therefore stand a chance of appearing, in some form, in the second-leg.

For Wednesday’s visitors, Rodrygo is a doubt having picked up a knock in the first-leg. The Brazilian subsequently missed Madrid’s 1-0 win over Mallorca on Saturday.

Aurélien Tchouaméni is suspended for the return leg and therefore will play not part despite travelling to Manchester.

Apart from this, and the long-term injuries of David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois, Madrid have a fully fit squad.

Head to Head

Over the years, the record has been even. With the first fixture between these two juggernauts of modern football happening in 2012, Manchester City has overcome the Spanish side four times whereas Madrid have won 3 times.

The affairs at the Etihad has massively favoured the home side with City being unbeaten in five matches at home against Madrid.

Last year, Manchester City overcame Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate on the way to The Cityzens’ first Champions League trophy and a famous treble. In this tie, Guardiola’s team thrashed the Spanish giants 4-0 at the Etihad.

Statistics

• Manchester City could become only the second team to eliminate Real Madrid in back-to-back editions of the Champions League since AC Milan did it in 1988/89 and 1989/90.
• Manchester City have been victorious in each of the last three matches against Real Madrid at home, under Pep Guardiola, in the UEFA Champions League.
• The previous five fixtures between the two sides have produced 23 goals, averaging 4.6 goals per game.
• Real Madrid have only progressed from two of their previous 10 UEFA Champions League knockout stages after failing to win the first leg at home.

How to Watch

For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be aired live on on TNT Sports, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 (UK).

For viewers in the United States, the match will be broadcast on Paramount+, with kick off scheduled for 15:00 (EST).

For anyone else, you can find the full TV viewing list here!

City Xtra will also be live on YouTube for all the build-up, in-game reactions, and post-match debrief in our Live WatchAlong show!