Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Match Overview and Team Updates

Real Madrid and Manchester City face off in the UEFA Champions League during the first leg of the round of 16 this week.

Real Madrid aims to use their home advantage after losing to City at home in the league phase earlier this season.

In the last decade, these teams have met 13 times, with each side winning five matches and three resulting in draws.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

• Date: Wednesday, 11th March
• Kick-off: 8pm BST
• Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
• Referee: Maurizio Mariani
• VAR: Marco Di Bello
• Last meeting: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, 10th December 2025

Real Madrid team news

Real Madrid is dealing with several injuries that have affected their squad depth lately.

Jude Bellingham has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and Eder Militao and Dani Ceballos are also unavailable.

Rodrygo is out with a cruciate ligament injury, while Alvaro Carreras is recovering from a calf issue.

Kylian Mbappe is expected to miss this match due to a knee injury, and David Alaba will also not be fit to play.

Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono are fit and might play if selected. Eduardo Camavinga is a minor doubt but could start if he is ready, with Vinicius Junior likely to lead the attack.

Manchester City team news

Manchester City travels to Madrid with few injury concerns and a nearly full-strength squad.

Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are still out due to long-term injuries, although Kovacic is back in training. Pep Guardiola confirmed there are no new issues ahead of the match.

Erling Haaland, who was rested recently, is expected to start and is City’s main attacking asset after scoring seven goals in eight Champions League games this season.

City’s strong squad depth has allowed Guardiola to rotate players, ensuring key figures are fresh for the match.

Form

Real Madrid: WLWLW

Real Madrid needed a late goal to win against Celta Vigo after back-to-back league losses against Osasuna and Getafe. Despite injury challenges, they have maintained a strong scoring average in Europe, netting over two goals per Champions League match.

Manchester City: WWWDW

City is in excellent shape, winning nine of their last eleven matches and drawing twice across all competitions, showing a solid attacking form.

In their latest match, City won 3-1 against Newcastle United in the FA Cup, boosting team confidence ahead of the knockout round.

Predicted lineups

Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler; G. Garcia, Vinicius Jr

Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Marmoush

How to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City?

The match will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the United Kingdom.