Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
The stage is set for a European classic at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid and Manchester City face off for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off today on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 9 p.m. Moroccan time, and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports MENA 1, BeIN Sports English 1, Canal+ Foot, and M+ Liga de Campeones.
🙌 IT’S MATCHDAY! 🙌
🆚 @ManCity
🕰 21:00 CET
🏟️ Santiago Bernabéu pic.twitter.com/gndrs9tKbA— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 19, 2025
Madrid holds a narrow 3-2 lead from the first leg in Manchester but Pep Guardiola says “it’s a huge challenge.”
Speaking after City’s 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle on Saturday, where Egypt’s Omar Marmoush netted a hat-trick, Guardiola admitted the task ahead is quite tough.
“Winning at the Bernabeu is never easy. The margin for error is tiny,” he said. “But if we have even a one percent chance, we will fight for it.”
Pep Guardiola: “I said even 1% [chance of us going through against Real Madrid] was generous. But one week in football is an eternity and THE MINDSET IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Winning against Newcastle helped us A LOT!” 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ui1qpUaqMR
— City Report (@cityreport_) February 19, 2025
The first leg was a thriller. City led 2-1 with five minutes to go, but Madrid pulled off a jaw-dropping comeback.
Moroccan playmaker Brahim Diaz levelled up the game in the 85th minute before Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time tap-in secured a crucial 3-2 away victory.
Madrid will be without key defenders Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal, while Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba remain doubtful. If fit Rudiger could return to bolster a woeful defence, with Aurelien Tchouameni stepping into defensive midfield.
City are dealing with fitness concerns themselves, with Manuel Akanji, Oscar Bobb, and Rodri all sidelined. However, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake are in contention to feature in the game, while Jack Grealish is expected to enter the fray after sustaining a knock.
Haaland, meanwhile, will be eyeing his 50th Champions League goal.
This is set to be a night of drama. Madrid have the lead, but City won’t go down without putting up a fight.
