The Santiago Bernabéu is set for a blockbuster night as Real Madrid hosts Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League playoff, and the lineup for each side has been confirmed.
With a 3-2 win from the first leg at the Etihad, Madrid holds a slight advantage, but City’s firepower means this tie is far from over.
Familiar Foes on the Big Stage
This marks the eighth Champions League clash between the two giants in the last four years. Madrid’s home record against City stands at one win and two draws in the last three meetings, including that unforgettable comeback in the 2021/22 semi-finals and last season’s 3-3 thriller.
Ancelotti’s Game Plan
Carlo Ancelotti knows the job isn’t done. “We have a small advantage and must play the same game as in the first leg,” he said pre-match. The good news? Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez, and Alaba are back in the squad. And with Mbappé—Madrid’s top scorer with 25 goals—finding the net in his last three games, Madrid’s attack is ready to roll.
City’s Threat: Haaland and More
Pep Guardiola’s side arrives in Madrid fresh off a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle, with Marmoush netting a hat-trick. Erling Haaland, who scored twice in the first leg, already has eight goals in this season’s Champions League and will be the focal point of City’s attack once again.
Confirmed Lineups
Real Madrid starting line-up: Courtois, Valverde, Rüdiger, Asencio, F. Mendy, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vini Jr.
Substitutes: Lunin, Sergio Mestre, Alaba, Camavinga, Modrić, Arda Güler, Endrick, Lucas V., Vallejo, Fran García, Brahim.
Manchester City’s lineup will be updated by 18:45 PM UK time.
What’s at Stake?
A place in the last 16 is on the line. For Madrid, it’s about building on their first-leg advantage and leveraging the home crowd. For City, it’s about proving their resilience and overturning the deficit. Expect drama, goals, and no shortage of tension under the lights at the Bernabéu.
Kickoff is at 9 pm CET—don’t miss it!
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