Manchester City’s dreams of retaining the Champions League were shattered after a dramatic penalty shoot-out loss to Real Madrid.
Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both missed from the spot as City were beaten 4-3 on penalties after their pulsating quarter-final tie ended 4-4 on aggregate.
Rodrygo had given Real an early lead in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium but City otherwise dominated and, after creating a host of chances, finally made it 1-1 on the night through Kevin De Bruyne in the 76th minute.
De Bruyne spurned a good chance to win the tie in normal time and Erling Haaland had earlier hit the crossbar but it was the competition’s record 14-time winners who ultimately prevailed.
Relive all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
FT: Real Madrid knock out Manchester City with penalty-shootout victory
82’ MISS! De Bruyne wastes golden opportunity (MCI 1-1 RMA)
76’ GOAL! De Bruyne draws hosts level (MCI 1-1 RMA)
12’ GOAL! Rodrygo opens scoring for visitors (MCI 0-1 RMA)
Manchester City FC 4 – 5 Real Madrid CF
Kings of Europe can reclaim their crown as Man City are denied the double treble
23:34 , Ben Fleming
The champions were dethroned by the kings. Manchester City’s reign lasted only a year. Real Madrid, the club Pep Guardiola has long described as the kings of Europe, expelled City from continental competition by doing what they always do. They found a way.
It required a wonderful rearguard action, a random assortment of penalty takers, a couple of saves from a goalkeeper, in Andriy Lunin, who would have been on the bench had Thibaut Courtois not suffered cruciate ligament damage or had Kepa Arrizabalaga displayed better form.
But Real, buffeted but not beaten, defiant but not defeated, found a way past Guardiola’s favourites. Now a semi-final against Bayern Munich beckons. Now a 15th European Cup could do, along with a fifth of Carlo Ancelotti’s extraordinary career.
Richard Jolly’s report from a dramatic night at the Eithad:
Kings of Europe can reclaim crown as Man City denied the double treble
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!
23:41 , Ben Fleming
Pep Guardiola speaks to the media after City’s defeat: “Sometimes you can win on penalties and sometimes you cannot. But in the game we did not convert the chances that we had, even though we defended really. Everyone performed at a high level. We said we would have to be at our best to play Real Madrid and they were.”
“Football is about scoring goals and they did it a little better than us from the penalty spot. They are in the semi-finals, we are not. Small margins. It is what it is. Sometimes you win on penalties, sometimes not.”
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!
23:36 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid have eliminated the reigning Champions League title-holders six times in knockout ties – at least twice as often as any other side in the competition’s history. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti has now qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League for the 10th time, the joint-most of any manager in the competition’s history (level with Pep Guardiola on 10).
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!
23:31 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti also speaks to Movistar: “We started well, went ahead and then we had to fight to survive, we had to suffer. City had control because we defended too deep.
“By the time the penalty shootout came, we were totally convinced we’d go through. This is about the only way you can come to City and win. You work, sacrifice and win however you can. Pep Guardiola is a gentleman, always has been. He congratulated us, wished us good luck and that’s what a real gent does.
“We defended really, really well tonight. This was about survival. Madrid is a club based on always fighting to stay in situations where there seems to be no way out – but we always find a way.”
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!
23:26 , Ben Fleming
Madrid defender Nacho speaks to Spanish outlet Movistar: “We suffered a lot tonight because City really put you under the cosh. But we are Real Madrid. We always, always fight until the very end.
“We aren’t used to suffering like that. Normally it’s us putting teams under the cosh like that. But the only thing which mattered, all night, was making sure it was us in the semi-finals. We showed another side of ourselves; we showed we know how to defend deep and win.
“We put on a terrific display of how to defend and, both individually and collectively, this is such a happy feeling,” says Nacho. “I’ve got goosebumps talking about it. We didn’t start the shoot-out too well but we are a proud bunch. We showed our pride and made this a magical night.”
Elsewhere in the Champions League
23:21 , Ben Fleming
It was a night to forget for Premier League sides in the Champions League as Arsenal crashed out against Bayern Munich courtesy of Joshua Kimmich’s second-half header.
Read Miguel Delaney’s report from the Allianz Arena:
Arsenal’s inability to rise to the occasion means yet another missed opportunity
Ruben Dias speaking to TNT Sports
23:20 , Ben Fleming
“I don’t know what to say. It’s frustrating – we dominated the whole game and had our chances but it’s difficult to take. The way we control the game, we always do everything we can to try and avoid going to penalties because, in a way, that is what they wanted.
“We had the chances – sometimes the ball goes in, sometimes it doesn’t but now we have to look forward to what’s still to come this season.”
On the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Saturday: “We won’t have much time to rest, it’s a busy part of the season, but now is a moment to be strong, especially in the head, as we are still fighting for two very important competitions.”
More from Bellingham
23:15 , Ben Fleming
“Our biggest strength is Carlo Ancelotti. He finds a way to let a lot of boys play with freedom. We’re so off the cuff. As a man, he fills you with calmness and confidence. I caught him yawning and he said to go out and excite him.
“Moments like this are magic and it just comes down to mentality: when you get those details right and you get those little moments, like the penalties, when the lads keep their cool. It’s magic. This was beautiful; my brother’s here today and it’s the first time he’s been able to see me playing for Madrid. I feel really proud about that.”
Jude Bellingham speaking to TNT Sports
23:07 , Ben Fleming
“It’s a relief because you put so much into the game. I’ve played against City when you’ve been close, you think you’re going to get something out of it and then suddenly they snatch it away from you. You have to work really hard to beat them. To win the game was a massive reward.
They’re continually probing with the ball, they move you around and take you into positions that you don’t want to go to but you have to otherwise they can punish you and they did with the goal. Most teams would fall apart but we stood up really well and kept working hard.”
On his start to life at Real Madrid: “I could have never dreamt of a start like this. Not just because of the performances but the feeling of playing for the club. You put the badge on your chest and you’re just so grateful. Hopefully plenty more nights like this.”
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!
23:05 , Ben Fleming
No Premier League team will be in this year’s semi-finals but there will be English representation in the last four in the form of Bayern’s Harry Kane and Eric Dier as well as Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
Let’s hear from the midfielder now…
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!
22:56 , Ben Fleming
Manchester City had 88 touches in the opposition box against Real Madrid; the most on record in a Champions League match since records began. Their 33 shots were also the most in a knockout stage game in the competition since Liverpool (34) versus Atletico Madrid in March 2020.
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!
22:54 , Ben Fleming
The winning moment from Antonio Rudiger…
REAL MADRID WIN ON PENALTIES!
22:52 , Ben Fleming
Madrid head to their fans in the away stands to celebrate. Madrid were second-best for large parts of that game but, yet again in this competition, they have found a way.
They will go on to face Bayern in the semi-finals.
Penalties: Man City 3-4 Real Madrid
22:48 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Rudiger squeezes it past Ederson into the bottom-left corner and Manchester City are out of the Champions League!
Penalties: Man City 3-3 Real Madrid
22:47 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Ederson is a surprise taker and he has to score…but makes no mistake. Now can he make a vital save to keep his side in it?
Penalties: Man City 2-3 Real Madrid
22:46 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Nacho sends Ederson the wrong way and slams it home. Madrid on the brink now.
Penalties: Man City 2-2 Real Madrid
22:46 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Foden draws City back level but the home side still need Madrid to miss.
Penalties: Man City 1-2 Real Madrid
22:45 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Cool as you like from Vazquez as he slots it into the bottom-left corner to put Madrid ahead.
Penalties: Man City 1-1 Real Madrid
22:45 , Ben Fleming
SAVE! Advantage Madrid now. Kovacic strikes it sweetly but Lunin makes a great save down to his left!
Penalties: Man City 1-1 Real Madrid
22:44 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Bellingham levels things up for Madrid with a composed finish into the bottom-left corner.
Penalties: Man City 1-0 Real Madrid
22:43 , Ben Fleming
SAVED! An awful penalty from Silva who clips it down the middle but Lunin doesn’t move and catches the ball with ease.
Penalties: Man City 1-0 Real Madrid
22:42 , Ben Fleming
SAVE! Modric goes first for Madrid but he’s denied. Ederson guesses correctly and palms it away down to his right.
Penalties: Man City 1-0 Real Madrid
22:41 , Ben Fleming
GOAL! Julian Alvarez steps up first for City…and makes no mistake as he sends Lunin the wrong fire. No saving that.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:39 , Ben Fleming
A first ever penalty shootout for Man City in the Champions League as Kyle Walker wins the coin toss and elects for his side to take the first spot kick.
END OF EXTRA-TIME! Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:36 , Ben Fleming
To penalties we go. Few chances in extra-time and this huge quarter-final will be decided by spot kicks.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:35 , Ben Fleming
120 mins: A late chance for City but it’s straight at Lunin from a tight angle from Alvarez.
Just one minute of added time.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:30 , Ben Fleming
116 mins: They gave it a bit of a go in the first half of extra-time but now Madrid are more than content to camp out on their box and play for penalties. Can City deny them that chance with a late winner?
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:28 , Ben Fleming
113 mins: Fresh off the bench, Kovacic races into the box but his effort is deflected behind by Rudiger.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:26 , Ben Fleming
112 mins: Vazquez volleys a half chance over the bar as City turn to their bench again. Akanji and De Bruyne makes way for Kovacic and Stones.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:24 , Ben Fleming
110 mins: The Spaniard hobbles his way off the pitch as Militao comes on as the replacement.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:23 , Ben Fleming
109 mins: Madrid lost Vinicius in the first half of extra-time and will be forced into another sub now, it appears, as Carvajal hits the deck.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:20 , Ben Fleming
106 mins: And just like that, we’re back underway for the second half of extra-time.
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:18 , Ben Fleming
And with that Rudiger chance spurned, the ref blows for half-time in extra-time. A quick turnaround before the second 15 minutes – are we headed for penalties?
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:17 , Ben Fleming
105+2 mins: CHANCE! A huge chance for Rudiger on the brink of half-time. The centre-back ghosts between Akanji and Dias but spoons his effort over the bar.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:15 , Ben Fleming
105 mins: Two minutes added on the first half of extra-time.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:12 , Ben Fleming
102 mins: Vincius makes way after that tussle with Walker as Vazquez comes on in his place.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:11 , Ben Fleming
101 mins: That is why Walker came straight back into the starting XI tonight. Vinicius makes a burst through the middle but the right-back comes across superbly to usher him off the ball.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:09 , Ben Fleming
98 mins: That small break after full-time seems to have given Madrid a bit more encouragement. The visitors have been far more attacking in the first eight minutes of extra-time.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:02 , Ben Fleming
93 mins: Bellingham hits the deck after a collision with Dias but is back on his feet now and looks okay to continue.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
22:00 , Ben Fleming
91 mins: A change for City before extra-time as Alvarez makes way for Haaland in attack. And like that, we’re back underway.
What has the next 30 minutes got in store for us?
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:57 , Ben Fleming
Speaking of De Bruyne’s strike, here it is:
FULL-TIME! Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:56 , Ben Fleming
A last-gasp effort from Haaland won’t trouble Lunin as the referee draws us to a close. De Bruyne’s strike means we’re still level in this tie and heading to extra-time.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:53 , Ben Fleming
90+3 mins: Rodri lines one up from range but his effort is deflected and rolls through harmlessly to Lunin.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:50 , Ben Fleming
90+1 mins: Four minutes of added time. Will there be a late twist in the tale or are we heading for extra-time?
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:50 , Ben Fleming
90 mins: A late yellow for Rodri who takes no chances as Diaz looks to break for Madrid.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:48 , Ben Fleming
88 mins: Haaland rises well at the back post but Bellingham does enough to put him off as the striker heads wide from a tight angle.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:47 , Ben Fleming
87 mins: Those two Madrid changes are yet to swing the tide in this game. It remains all City as the defending champions go in search of a late winner.
Doku forces yet another corner.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:44 , Ben Fleming
84 mins: Another change for Madrid as they look for some dynamism in attack. Rodrygo, who scored the game’s opening goal, makes way for Diaz.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:42 , Ben Fleming
82 mins: De Bruyne has to score! Doku again has the beating of Carvajal and is low cross falls at the feet of the onrushing Belgian who inexplicably blazes over from no more than 12 yards out.
A golden opportunity wasted by the hosts.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 agg.)
21:40 , Ben Fleming
79 mins: CLOSE! De Bruyne almost has a second but his vicious curling effort from range is deflected just over the bar.
Madrid now look to change the momentum of this tie with a sub as Modric replaces Kroos in central midfield.
Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (De Bruyne 76 mins – 4-4 agg.)
21:35 , Ben Fleming
City equalise and we’re back level in this tie!
It’s Doku, off the bench, who makes the instant impact, fizzing a low ball into the box. Rudiger doesn’t do enough to clear the ball properly and the loose ball drops to De Bruyne who slams it into the roof of the net.
(Getty Images)
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:35 , Ben Fleming
75 mins: Carvajal does well in his opening exchanges with Doku but he’ll have to tread a careful line given his earlier yellow card.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:32 , Ben Fleming
72 mins: Doku does come on as City make their first change. Grealish, who has had a good game, makes way.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:30 , Ben Fleming
70 mins: Grealish remains a bright spark for the hosts but sees his latest effort saved well down low by Lunin.
Doku and Alvarez appear to be warming up on the bench.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:30 , Ben Fleming
69 mins: De Bruyne drifts over to the left side now as he looks to unlock this Madrid defence, but his eventual cross is blocked out for yet another City corner.
It’s a flat delivery towards the near post but it’s gone out before reaching the City players.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:26 , Ben Fleming
66 mins: It’s eleven men behind the ball for Madrid and CIty are finding it increasingly difficult to find any space. De Bruyne has to drift out onto the right wing but his cross is skewed out for a goal-kick.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:21 , Ben Fleming
61 mins: Another yellow card is brandished shortly after. This time it’s Gvardiol after his late challenge on Bellingham.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:19 , Ben Fleming
59 mins: City just beginning to get a bit impatient as the game approaches the hour mark. Grealish brings a Madrid attack to a sudden halt. and is shown a yellow card for the infringement.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:15 , Ben Fleming
54 mins: Wave after wave of City pressure to begin this second half as Valverde blocks Grealish’s cross behind for a corner.
Gvardiol rises well to get a flick-on at the near post but Camavinga is well-positioned to head the ball away with Haaland lurking with intent beyond him.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:12 , Ben Fleming
51 mins: Almost a real mix-up for Madrid as Nacho knocks it past his keeper but recovers well to clear the ball off his line for a corner.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:08 , Ben Fleming
47 mins: City’s tenth corner, early in the second half, but the hosts have struggled to cause Madrid any issues thus far. Again the visitors deal with the threat.
KICK-OFF! Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:05 , Ben Fleming
46 mins: Back underway at the Etihad.
(Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
HALF-TIME: Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
21:03 , Ben Fleming
Ominous signs for City fans hoping for a second-half comeback.
Real Madrid haven’t lost any of their last 57 Champions League games in which they’ve been ahead at half time (W50 D7), with their last such defeat coming against Galatasaray back in April 2013 (1-0 up at half time, lost 2-3).
Over in Munich
21:00 , Ben Fleming
It’s still all square at the Allianz Arena between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at half-time. That quarter-final remains 2-2 on aggregate.
(Getty Images)
HALF-TIME: Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:57 , Ben Fleming
Just the one goal in the first half courtesy of Rodrygo’s 12th-minute strike…
HALF-TIME: Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:50 , Ben Fleming
The half-time whistle goes after a frenetic first half in Manchester. The hosts have had the lion’s share of the chances but it’s Madrid who have the all-important advantage thanks to Rodrygo’s early strike.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:49 , Ben Fleming
45 mins: Two minutes of added time remaining as another City effort, this time from Foden, is blasted over the bar.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:48 , Ben Fleming
44 mins: Foden drifts a ball towards the back post but Carvajal rises well to nod away the danger. More corners follow but the visitors defend them well.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:44 , Ben Fleming
39 mins: City fans are not happy as the ref keeps his card in the pocket following Vinicius’ challenge on Silva. It comes after Carvajal was shown the game’s first yellow for a foul on Grealish a minute earlier.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:39 , Ben Fleming
36 mins: CLOSE! Grealish, again, has space to drive into but this time his strike is deflected off Rudiger and into the side-netting.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:36 , Ben Fleming
33 mins: City doing a good job of penning Madrid in their own half but are struggling to really test Lunin in goal. De Bruyne lets fly with a speculative left-footed effort but it sails over the bar.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:35 , Ben Fleming
32 mins: Grealish has had a bright start to this game and finds space on the edge of the box but his effort is deflected behind for a corner.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:31 , Ben Fleming
28 mins: City recycle the ball from the resulting corner but Haaland can’t generate enough power on the header to trouble Lunin.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:30 , Ben Fleming
27 mins: SAVE! De Bruyne is given space on the edge of the box but his curling effort is palmed away well by Lunin.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:28 , Ben Fleming
24 mins: City are playing a dangerously high line against this Madrid attack and are almost caught out there.
Vinicius attacks the attention of several City defenders before finding Carvajal on the edge of the box. The Spaniard tries his luck but his effort is blocked.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:22 , Ben Fleming
19 mins: How did that not go in? Haaland gets his header right this but it cannons back off the post. The ball drops to Silva, who is only yards out from goal, but the Portuguese midfielder can’t get his body in the right position to divert it into the net.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:20 , Ben Fleming
17 mins: Superb work from Grealish to keep the ball in play. Silva latches onto the loose ball, whipping it in first time towards the back post. Haaland rises well but can’t keep his header down as it flies over the bar.
Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg.)
20:19 , Ben Fleming
15 mins: City look to hit back immediately but Rudiger does well to block Silva’s effort.
GOAL! Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (Rodrygo, 12 mins – 3-4 agg.)
20:15 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid strike first! A long, hopeful punt upfield is brought down well by Bellingham. It’s worked out to the right before Vinicius flashes a low ball across the box.
Ederson does superbly to deny Rodrygo’s first-time effort but he can do nothing to prevent the follow-up effort and the Spaniard’s edge ahead on aggregate.
Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (3-3 agg.)
20:13 , Ben Fleming
10 mins: Camavinga with Real Madrid’s first chance, now, but his long-range effort is straight into the palms of Ederson.
Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (3-3 agg.)
20:12 , Ben Fleming
8 mins: De Bruyne with the first proper attack in the game as he finds space out on the right side, but his low ball into the box is straight at Lunin who claims with ease.
Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (3-3 agg.)
20:07 , Ben Fleming
4 mins: A quiet start to this one, perhaps a sign of just how much is on the line over the course of the next 90 minutes.
KICK-OFF! Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (3-3 agg.)
20:02 , Ben Fleming
1 min: And we are off and running in the first half!
Here come the players
19:58 , Ben Fleming
Out of the tunnel to a rapturous reception, the players come. The latest chapter of this intriguing Champions League rivalry is ready to be written – let’s hope it’s a cracker.
Kick-off coming shortly
19:52 , Ben Fleming
Just under ten minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is building inside the Etihad Stadium. What has the next 90 minutes got in store for us?
Happy hunting ground for Bernardo Silva
19:47 , Ben Fleming
Silva has netted four goals in seven games against Real Madrid – against sides he’s faced 5+ times as a Manchester City player, only versus Watford (115) does he have a better minutes-per-goal ratio than he does against Los Blancos (144).
Will the Portuguese midfielder notch up another tonight?
(Getty Images)
First-leg recap
19:41 , Ben Fleming
We’ve got under 20 minutes to go until kick-off here in Manchester, with the tie finely poised after an absorbing first leg in Madrid.
If you need reminding of how that game went down, click below:
The Pep Guardiola switch that sparked Man City and Real Madrid’s epic
Another chapter in the Guardiola-Ancelotti rivalry
19:36 , Ben Fleming
This will be the eighth time that Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti have faced each other in the UEFA Champions League, and the sixth while in charge of their current clubs Manchester City and Real Madrid.
The only pairs of managers who have faced each other on more than eight occasions in the competition are Alex Ferguson & Ottmar Hitzfeld and Carlo Ancelotti & Jürgen Klopp (nine times each).
(Getty Images)
Madrid up against the odds
19:29 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid have only progressed from two of their previous 10 UEFA Champions League knockout stage ties after failing to win the first leg at home.
Both of the times they’ve managed to progress in that scenario in the second leg were against Manchester United (1999-2000 quarter-finals and 2012-13 round of 16).
(Getty Images)
Man City vs Real Madrid betting tips
19:22 , Ben Fleming
Manchester City and Real Madrid lock horns in a titanic clash for a place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night (TNT Sports 1, 8pm).
The sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving the contest firmly in the balance at the Etihad Stadium.
City held the lead twice, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men battled back to earn parity and give themselves a chance of avenging their defeat to City in last year’s semi-finals.
The tie is eerily similar to last season’s duel as the two teams played out a draw in the Bernabeu before City destroyed Los Blancos in the second leg, running out 4-0 winners at the Etihad.
Man City vs Real Madrid predictions: 18/1 football tip and Champions League odds
Guardiola calls for patience
19:15 , Ben Fleming
It could still be another fairytale year for Pep Guardiola’s Man City as they remain in the hunt for a historic second successive trouble. Despite that, the City boss is demanding patience from his fans and players.
“We are far away from the hypothetical dreams. When we are in the final of the FA Cup and the final of the Champions League and one or two games left with three, four, five points advantage, then I will start to think about this,” he said at his press conference.
“It’s one game at a time – Real Madrid tomorrow – and it is step by step. To still be in the position to win the Treble and being in contention at this stage, hats off, chapeau, incredible.”
(Action Images via Reuters)
Real Madrid team news
19:07 , Ben Fleming
Just one change for Real Madrid as the suspended Tchouameni is replaced by Nacho.
Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Vinicius Jr.
Subs: Kepa, Ceballos, Diaz, Fran, Garcia, Guler, Joselu, Vazquez, Militao, Modric.
Manchester City team news
18:53 , Ben Fleming
Three changes for tonight’s hosts who are boosted by the return of Walker and Ederson. They replace Stones and Ortega who drop to the bench, while De Bruyne is preferred to Kovacic in central midfield.
Man City starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega, Carson, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Doku, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.
Team news is in!
18:47 , Ben Fleming
The hosts lineup for tonight:
Your City side to face Real Madrid 🩵
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Doku, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis#ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/2NtHEk7XTt
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 17, 2024
Real Madrid fans in fine voice
18:40 , Ben Fleming
The travelling Spanish contingent are enjoying themselves ahead of kick-off:
Foden hoping to shine
18:30 , Ben Fleming
The Englishman was rested at the weekend but will hopefully be back in the starting XI tonight. What’s for sure is that he’s enjoyed his time in the competition, scoring in each of his last five starts in the Champions League (five goals); the joint-longest run by a Manchester City player in the competition, along with Sergio Agüero (Feb 2018-March 2019).
(PA Wire)
Head-to-head
18:20 , Ben Fleming
It’s tight between the two sides historically, with Man City winning four and Real Madrid three (four draws). What is guaranteed, though, is goals. Indeed, the last five meetings between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the Champions League have produced 23 goals, at an average of 4.6 per game.
Ancelotti – ‘We have to have the quality to create problems’
18:10 , Ben Fleming
Real Madrid suffered a humiliating defeat last time the two sides met at the Etihad Stadium, but Carlo Ancelotti is convinced his side will banish their demons as they look to reach yet another Champions League semi-final.
“In the last three years we’ve faced City and they’ve been spectacular games, tomorrow will be the same,” he said. “We have to compete and believe, which is what we’re trying to do today. The tie is level and we survived 90 minutes and anything can happen. We have to have the quality to create problems.
“We’re planning to put on a complete performance. Attacking and defending well, not losing the ball unnecessarily, playing well on the counter, controlling transitions. It has to be a very complete performance and we’re not focusing on just one aspect, we have to focus on all of them.”
(Getty Images)
Why Premier League is now at risk of missing out on fifth Champions League spot
18:00 , Ben Fleming
After a disappointing set of results last week, the Premier League’s hopes of gaining an extra Champions League spot in next season’s revamped competition have been dealt a blow.
The Champions League is being expanded to a 36-team tournament from 2024/25 and two of the extra four places will be awarded to countries whose teams perform best in this season’s European competitions.
As confirmed by Uefa on their website, England sits third in the race, behind Italy and Germany, which would mean Serie A and the Bundesliga get a fifth Champions League place next season.
City will host Real Madrid at the Etihad following a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu, while it looks tougher for Arsenal as they will need to get a result at Bayern Munich after a 2-2 draw against the German side at the Emirates.
The outcome of that tie could be decisive in the race between the Premier League and Bundesliga, as Arsenal could deny Germany if the Gunners knock out Bayern in Munich.
Why Premier League is now at risk of missing out on fifth Champions League spot
Why Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid ‘project’ — and what comes next
17:45 , Ben Fleming
As Jude Bellingham sat behind the top table at the Etihad Stadium, to his right were three massive images, filling a wall. Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Erling Haaland, each holding a trophy from Manchester City’s treble. There is an alternative future in which a supersized picture of him would stare out, where he could find himself next to Rodri and De Bruyne on a wall and in a midfield.
City wanted him last year. They were not alone in that. Liverpool did too, before bowing out of the bidding. And yet, for one of the most coveted players on the planet, the decision was actually a simple one.
Why Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid ‘project’ — and what comes next
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website
