Will Carlo Ancelotti be able to seek revenge against Pep Guardiola in the UEFA Champions League? Let’s preview and predict the quarter-final match between Real Madrid and Manchester City.
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Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Match Preview
Manchester City, the reigning UEFA Champions League champions, will aim to continue their dominance as they face off against Real Madrid, the Spanish giants, in the first leg of their quarter-final clash at Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday.
This encounter marks the third consecutive season that City and Madrid have met in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition. In the 2021-22 campaign, Los Blancos emerged victorious in a semi-final tie, while City claimed triumph en route to their championship win the following year.
In their previous four meetings, a total of 17 goals have been scored, averaging 4.3 per game (with seven for Real Madrid and ten for Manchester City). Another thrilling Champions League showdown awaits in the Spanish capital.
Reports suggest that Pep Guardiola’s squad is favored to defend their European crown in predictions, with Madrid ranking as the second-most likely team to go all the way.
The Premier League champions, Manchester City, comfortably advanced past Copenhagen in their two-legged last-16 tie, securing a 6-2 aggregate triumph with 3-1 victories in each leg. This success followed their impeccable performance in the group stage, where they won all six matches, showcasing their dominance in European football once again.
However, Real Madrid poses a formidable challenge, as they are one of only two teams, alongside Manchester City, whom Erling Haaland has faced more than once in the Champions League without scoring (two games against each). Despite registering seven shots and five shots on target against Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Haaland has yet to find the back of the net against them.
Haaland’s effectiveness in this encounter may hinge on the link-up play of Rodri, who leads the competition this season with 137 line-breaking passes, surpassing Madrid’s maestro Toni Kroos (128). Additionally, Phil Foden has been in exceptional attacking form, highlighted by his recent hat-trick against Aston Villa. Although he was rested for Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace, his contribution could be crucial in City’s quest for success against Real Madrid.
Kevin De Bruyne, the fellow midfield maestro, showcased his talent with two well-executed goals at Selhurst Park, while Erling Haaland continued to add to his scoring tally. Additionally, Rico Lewis, an unexpected name, found the back of the net for Manchester City.
However, Real Madrid boasts their own array of global superstars. Vinícius Júnior, in particular, has been a standout performer, directly contributing to more goals than any other player in the Champions League since the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign, with 27 involvements (14 goals, 13 assists). Moreover, Vinícius leads all players in the competition for completed dribbles (97) and progressive carries (373). His partnership with a familiar English face at Madrid has been formidable.
Former Manchester City target Jude Bellingham has been exceptional for Ancelotti’s side, either scoring (four) or assisting (four) in all six of his Champions League appearances. Only Sébastien Haller, playing for Ajax in 2021-22, has achieved a similar feat in his first seven games for a club in the competition (11 goals, two assists).
Bellingham and Vinícius’s outstanding form has been pivotal for Madrid, who won all six of their group-stage matches and narrowly edged past RB Leipzig 2-1 on aggregate in the last round of 16 clash. Ancelotti’s team news includes the return of Éder Militão to the lineup, although Dani Ceballos is doubtful, with long-term absentees Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba still sidelined.
As for Guardiola’s selection, Bernardo Silva was rested alongside Foden in the weekend victory over Palace, while first-choice goalkeeper Ederson returned to the bench after a period of absence. John Stones has been dealing with injury concerns, and Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, and Josko Gvardiol are unlikely to feature in the upcoming match in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Head-to-Head
In their recent Champions League encounters, Real Madrid has only managed to win one out of their last six matches against Manchester City, drawing one and losing four. They have conceded an average of 1.7 goals per game in these encounters (a total of 17 goals conceded in 10 matches), which stands as their highest against any opponent they have faced five or more times in the competition.
This upcoming match will also feature a clash between the two managers with the most wins in Champions League history. Carlo Ancelotti boasts 113 victories, while Pep Guardiola trails just four wins behind.
In the three seasons where these two managers have faced off in the knockout stages, Ancelotti’s teams have progressed twice (in 2013-14 and 2021-22) but were eliminated in the semi-finals last season.
While Guardiola initially suffered defeats in his first two encounters with Ancelotti’s Madrid as Bayern Munich manager, he has since seen an improved record. Guardiola has lost just one of his last eight games against Ancelotti across all competitions, winning six and drawing one. Notably, all of these encounters occurred while Guardiola was in charge of Manchester City.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Recent Form
Manchester City is currently enjoying an impressive run of form in the Champions League, having won their last 10 consecutive matches. Only Bayern Munich has a longer streak in the competition, with 15 straight victories from September 2019 to November 2020.
Furthermore, Pep Guardiola’s team is on the second-longest unbeaten run in the Champions League, spanning 21 matches. The only team with a longer unbeaten streak is Manchester United, who went 25 matches unbeaten from September 2007 to May 2009. The last team to defeat Manchester City in the Champions League was Real Madrid in the semi-final return leg in May 2022, where they secured a 3-1 win after extra time.
On the other hand, Real Madrid has shown resilience in this season’s competition, having trailed for only 26 minutes, which is the fewest of any side. In contrast, Manchester City has been ahead for the most minutes in the competition this term, totaling 428 minutes.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Team News and Predicted Line-up
Real Madrid Team News
- Eder Militao has made a return from a serious knee injury, strengthening their defensive options.
- Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
- Vinicius Jr is available for selection after serving a domestic suspension.
Real Madrid Predicted Starting XIs:
- Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin
- Defenders: Dani Carvajal (RB), Antonio Rüdiger (CB), Aurélien Tchouaméni (CB), Ferland Mendy (LB)
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (CDM), Toni Kroos (CM), Federico Valverde (CM)
- Attacking Midfielder: Jude Bellingham (AMF)
- Forwards: Rodrygo (ST), Vinícius Júnior (ST)
Manchester City Team News:
- Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting lineup for the win against Palace.
- Ederson returned to the bench.
- Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were rested in the previous match.
- Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are both facing significant injury concerns and will not be available.
- Josko Gvardiol sustained an injury during the match against Crystal Palace and is unlikely to feature in the upcoming game despite being named in the matchday traveling squad.
Manchester City Predicted Starting XIs:
- Goalkeeper: Ederson
- Defenders: Lewis (RB), Stones (CB), Dias (CB), Akanji (LB)
- Midfielders: Rodri (CDM), Silva (CM), De Bruyne (AMF)
- Forwards/Wingers: Jack Grealish (LW), Foden (RW)
- Striker: Haaland (ST)
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Match Prediction
We struggled to split these two sides for the first leg, but we’ll still go with with Madrid winning , while City lose.
The draw is also a favorable outcome as two Champions League favorites go head-to-head for the first meeting of a quarter-final that could potentially decide the winners of the competition.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: UCL Squads For The Quarter-finals
Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Squad
- Goalkeepers: Andriy Lunin, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Fran
- Defenders: Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, Fran García, Lucas Vázquez
- Midfielders: Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler
- Forwards: Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Brahim Díaz, Joselu
Head Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Manchester City UEFA Champions League Squad
- Goalkeepers: Stefan Ortega, Ederson, Scott Carson
- Defenders: Rúben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Aké, Sergio Gómez, Joško Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Rico Lewis
- Midfielders: Mateo Kovačić, Jack Grealish, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Phil Foden, Jérémy Doku, Oscar Bobb, Mahamadou Susoho
- Forwards: Erling Haaland, Julián Álvarez
Head Coach: Pep Guardiola
When and Where to Watch the Match LIVE in India?
The UEFA Champions League 2023-24 match between Real Madrid and Manchester City will be broadcast live in India on Sony Sports Network. The match is scheduled to Wednesday, 10 April 2024 at 12:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Viewers in India can watch the match live from Santiago Bernabeu. Additionally, for those who prefer online streaming, the match will be available for live streaming on the SonyLIV App.
