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The first-ever UEFA Champions League play-offs in the newly adopted format is around the corner, as the knock-out round begins with a fiery encounter. Manchester City will host Real Madrid tonight at the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of the knock-out play-off tie in UCL 2024-25.
Man City vs Real Madrid: A modern classic.#UCL pic.twitter.com/VxwSQLJd3N
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 11, 2025
From possible starting XIs to Fantasy predictions, here is everything you need to know about Manchester City vs Real Madrid's first leg of the knock-out play-off match in the UEFA Champions League 2024-25.
Match Details
Match: Manchester City vs Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Play-off First Leg
Date: 12 February 2025
Time: 1:30 AM IST
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, the UK
Broadcasting and Streaming Details
The match will be streamed Live on the Sony Liv app and website. Viewers can also watch the game live on TV on Sony Sports Network.
Team News
Manchester City
Manchester City earned a place in the knock-out play-offs following a 3-1 victory against Club Brugge on the last matchday of the UCL 2024-25 league phase. The Pep Guardiola-managed side finished 22nd on the table, accumulating 11 points in 8 matches.
Although the reigning English champions have struggled severely in UCL this season, the team has serious potential, possessing qualities that can destroy the opponent on their day.
Final preparations β³ pic.twitter.com/MF7cA9EuDb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 10, 2025
Pep Guardiola managed to rope in some serious talents, such as Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez, who have all been included in City's Champions League squad, igniting hope for the fans to expect better results in the continental contest.
However, Guardiola must field a competitive eleven tonight without the services of Nico Gonzalez and Nathan Ake, who have suffered injuries in the past couple of weeks. Jeremy Doku is also doubtful, whereas Rodri and Oscar Bobb are recovering from long-term injuries.
PEP π¬ We are where we are and I know perfectly. But, the team has something special and hopefully tomorrow we can prove it. pic.twitter.com/Od9fqEHs27
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 10, 2025
Manchester City | UCL 2024-25 League Phase results
- Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan
- Slovan Bratislava 0-4 Manchester City
- Manchester City 5-0 Sparta Prague
- Sporting CP 4-1 Manchester City
- Manchester City 3-3 Feyenoord
- Juventus 2-0 Manchester City
- Paris Saint-Germain 4-2 Manchester City
- Manchester City 3-1 Club Brugge
Real Madrid
Real Madrid stormed into the knock-out play-offs with three consecutive wins in their last three UCL 2024-25 League phase outings. Los Blancos ended their league phase campaign in the 11th place, having bagged 15 points in 8 matches.
The defending champions are suffering some injury concerns, but Real Madrid can not be scrapped out of discussion, especially on a Champions League night.
ποΈβ¨π¦Ύ pic.twitter.com/MIqAYyhz2t
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 10, 2025
However, manager Carlo Ancelotti will have some important players sidelined due to injuries, including Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez, and David Alaba. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are recovering from their long-term injuries.
There is another concern that can extend the woes for Real Madrid; that Bellingham, Camavinga, Endrick, ModriΔ, and Tchouameni are all one yellow card away from being suspended in the second leg.
πβ ¡Nuestros convocados!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 9, 2025
π @ManCityES pic.twitter.com/PiR6wv0v93
Real Madrid | UCL 2024-25 League Phase results
- Real Madrid 3-1 VfB Stuttgart
- Lille OSC 1-0 Real Madrid
- Real Madrid 5-2 Borussia Dortmund
- Real Madrid 1-3 AC Milan
- Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid
- Atalanta 2-3 Real Madrid
- Real Madrid 5-1 RB Salzburg
- Brest 0-3 Real Madrid
Head-to-head Stats (in UCL)
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Matches played: 14
Manchester City wins: 5
Real Madrid wins: 4
Draws: 5
Possible Playing XI
Manchester City
Ederson (GK); Matheus Nunes, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol; Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic; Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Savinho; Erling Haaland
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois (GK); Federico Valverde, Raul Asencio, Aurelin Tchouaméni, Ferland Mendy; Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos; Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Jr; Kylian Mbappé
Man City vs Real Madrid: Fantasy XI Prediction
Ederson, Valverde, Dias, Asencio, Gvardiol, Bellingham, De Bruyne, Rodrygo, Vini, Mbappe, Haaland