The Champions League will return tonight with the matches of the “play-off” phase.
The 16 teams ranked from ninth to 24th place will face each other in a two-legged system to join the top eight teams that have already secured their spot in the Round of 16 through the league phase.
Undoubtedly, the main event of the night will be the clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid, which is considered the headline match of the “play-off” stage, writes Gazeta Express.
These two teams have frequently faced off in recent years, and a spectacle has always been guaranteed.
City and Real enter this game with different issues.
The “Citizens” are struggling with poor form this season, barely making it into the Top 24.
On the other hand, the Spanish and European champions are dealing with multiple injuries.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti will be without key players such as Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Lucas Vazquez.
Nevertheless, “Don Carlo” will try to assemble a solid team to counter the home side.
Madrid’s biggest hopes rest on Kylian Mbappe, who has been displaying extraordinary form in 2025.
Meanwhile, coach Pep Guardiola will aim to exploit Madrid’s weak spot—its defense—hoping that Erling Haaland will bounce back and “save the Spaniard’s head.”
The match between Manchester City and Real Madrid will take place tonight at the “Etihad Stadium.”
The return leg will be played a week later at the “Santiago Bernabeu,” where the team advancing to the next stage will be determined.
Three of tonight’s four matches will kick off at 21:00.
