Manchester City are out. They were never really in it. Pep Guardiola’s men were eliminated before the Champions League last-16 phase by a dominant and exceptional Real Madrid.
The hosts had a one-goal after their comeback win at the Etihad and they never looked like giving it up. A first half which saw City create just one shot at goal was summed up by Kylian Mbappe scoring twice.
The first was from a simple long ball. Mbappe nipped in behind Ruben Dias then lobbed Ederson who was off his line. The second was world class. Fed the ball inside the box, he cut inside of Josko Gvardiol, left the defender on the floor and rolled it past the goalkeeper.
After the break Mbappe scored his third. Left too much space on the edge of the box, he beat Phil Foden and guided a left-footed strike into the far bottom corner.
Nico Gonzalez scored a late consolation goal but City were to slow, too timid, and lacking in belief to spring a shock result on the 15x champions. Instead, Real march into the next round and look like favourites to win the tournament once more.
Relive the Champions League updates from our live blog below:
Real Madrid vs Man City LIVE
- Real Madrid defeat Man City in the Champions League play-offs
- 90+2’ GOAL! Nico scores a consolation for City (RMA 3-1 MCI)
- 61’ GOAL! Mbappe completes hat-trick with fine finish (RMA 3-0 MCI)
- 33' GOAL! Mbappe sits down Gvardiol and slots past Ederson (RMA 2-0 MCI)
- 4' GOAL! Mbappe lobs Ederson to put Madrid ahead (RMA 1-0 MCI)
- John Stones subbed off early in first half with muscle injury
Manchester City’s predictable Champions League humbling leaves Pep Guardiola with sobering realisation
22:12 , Richard JollyThe stuff of boyhood dreams for Kylian Mbappe but the continuation of Manchester City’s altogether newer nightmare and the confirmation of how far and how fast they have fallen.
For Mbappe, his first great European evening at the Bernabeu yielded a hat-trick for the club he supported as a child.
But, two years after winning the Champions League, City have been eliminated while Club Brugge remain in it. It has been a shocking fall from grace. And yet there was nothing surprising about elimination to Real Madrid: not to anyone who has watched their season. A 13th defeat in 26 games, a fourth in their last four away in Europe, was inevitable from the moment Mbappe lobbed Real ahead.
Man City’s Champions League humbling leaves Pep Guardiola with sobering realisation
Bellingham on Mbappe:
22:47 , Mike Jones"It is brilliant playing with him. You go into games knowing you can give him the ball and he is going to affect things. Our jobs behind him and the rest of the front three is to try and get them into the best positions possible and I myself try and get in the box too.
"You know when Kylian gets the ball in the areas he likes on the pitch he is going to be dangerous. Left foot or right foot. He scored a few different types of goals today.
"It is incredible what he has done in his career. I know he had a slow start here and took time getting used to life here. Now he is flying and it's so good to see."
Joleon Lescott on Kylian Mbappe:
22:42 , Mike Jones“I don't think anyone has ever doubted his talents, there was just going to be an adaptation period for him joining this club.
“Tonight, he definitely announced himself with this club and the fans.
“If they go on to win it, this will be the moment they recognise Kylian Mbappe is their guy and the main man.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to TNT Sports:
22:38 , Mike Jones"After we conceded the goal in the first action we didn't defend well, it was more and more difficult. We have to accept it, the best team won so congratulations to Real Madrid. Now we focus on the Premier League.
"It's a fantastic team, they deserve to go through. We didn't deserve it, it's the first year we didn't make a good Champions League season. We have to accept it and fight for next season to be here again.
"Of course Real Madrid are contenders to win the Champions League now, but there are other good teams around.
'You want to play against the best teams' says Bellingham
22:34 , Mike JonesIn his post match interview Jude Bellingham added: "They [Man City] have had some injuries and we are also on the back end of that and welcoming some of the lads back. He is important for us in terms of the leadership in the dressing room, having that loud presence before the game, particularly for us younger players. When we are at full strength we are a much better team.
"You always want to play teams at their best and when you see he [Erling Haaland] is not in the team you obviously hope it is nothing serious. He is a good mate of mine and I hope it is not too bad. You play against what you are up against and I thought we managed it well today. They still have other players that can step in and cause damage."
Post-match reaction from Jude Bellingham:
22:31 , Mike Jones"It was a good evening and a good performance from us. It was a really enjoyable game to play in.
“The most important thing for us was the defensive side of the game.
“We knew that once we boxed that off we could attack with more freedom and that was the key tonight and in the other game.”
Who's in the last-16?
22:28 , Mike JonesSeven teams have battled through a play-off round to reach the Champions League last-16.
Those are:
Feyenoord, Club Brugge, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
One more team will join them but PSV vs Juventus has gone to extra time with PSV currently leading 4-3 on aggregate.
Mbappe is Player of the Match
22:25 , Mike JonesKylian Mbappe has unsurprisingly been named Player of the Match.
The Uefa Technical Observer Group said: "He was more involved in the game than in others and made the difference with his runs in behind – and, of course, his goals."
Mbappe on who he wants to play in next round:
22:22 , Mike Jones"The reality is that they are both very good teams.
“Whether we play Atleti or Leverkusen it will be difficult. But for me it is better to play Atletico because then we don't have to travel!
“We have to travel a lot already. Both games would be difficult but it would be less so without having to travel."
Mbappe on life at Real Madrid:
22:18 , Mike Jones"I want to play well here, I want to make a mark on the season. I want to write history with Real Madrid.
“The adaptation period for me has ended and now I have to show my quality."
Post-match reaction from Kylian Mbappe
22:13 , Mike JonesReal Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe told Uefa.com: "A perfect night for the team. We wanted to win. We wanted to qualify for the next round. For us it was only logical that Real Madrid reached the next round of the Champions League.
"When you play against Manchester City it is always a difficult game but we knew that at home we would be very strong. We played better as a group and we were able to give a lot of joy to the fans. We have to continue in this way if we are to win what we want to win this season.”
'A dismal European campaign'
22:00 , Richard Jolly at Bernabeu“So maybe Pep Guardiola wasn't engaging in mind games when he said City had a one percent chance. Real were comfortable winners.
“A first great European night at the Bernabeu for Mbappe, with his hat-trick. City go out after what has been a dismal European campaign.”
Full-time! Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (6-3 agg)
21:52 , Mike Jones90+5 mins: The final whistle goes and Man City’s misery is over.
Real Madrid go through, Man City are out of the Champions League.
There’s more work for Pep Guardiola to do to get his team back to this level.
Real Madrid are firing again.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (6-3 agg) - Nico Gonzalez, 90+2'
21:50 , Mike JonesMan City get a consolation goal.
Omar Marmoush strikes a free kick from right in front of goal and rattles the crossbar.
The ball rebounds and Nico Gonzalez is there first and taps in for City.
The goal is being checked by VAR. Will it stand?
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:48 , Mike Jones90 mins: Two more minutes to play.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:46 , Mike Jones85 mins: Brahim Diaz collides with James McAtee inside the Real Madrid box and leaves an elbow on the youngsters head.
He goes down but the penalty doesn’t come. Instead the referee awards City a free kick outside the area for the foul.
That’s a super strange decision and VAR doesn’t even look at the incident.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:37 , Mike Jones82 mins: Mateo Kovacic has come on for Man City.
Immediately he’s into the action and takes a shot which lands in the arms of Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:35 , Mike Jones79 mins: Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz make their way onto the pitch for Real Madrid.
Dani Ceballos is replaced, as is Kylian Mbappe who departs to a standing ovation from the home crowd.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:34 , Mike Jones76 mins: Vinicius Jr has a couple of chances back-to-back.
The first is hooked wide of goal and the second is palmed away by a diving Ederson.
Madrid are having a field day now.
'It may be odd that Guardiola hasn't brought anyone on'
21:31 , Richard Jolly at Bernabeu“It may be slightly odd that, since the early change when Stones was injured, Guardiola hasn't brought anyone on.
“Perhaps it is a sign he has given up.
“And, while his team selection tonight felt odd, the reality may be that there was no City team from this squad that would have won here tonight.”
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:30 , Mike Jones73 mins: Both of these teams came into the tie having not had the best of starts to the season.
City are still struggling but Carlo Ancelotti has instilled the belief into Real Madrid again.
Los Blancos seem to come alive at the back end of the season and they are putting down a marker for the rest of this competition.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:27 , Mike Jones70 mins: There’s still 20 minutes to play in this tie.
Madrid are through. Man City have seemingly thrown in the towel.
They’re slow and have no belief that they can turn it around.
A chastening night for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:24 , Mike Jones67 mins: Real Madrid are cruising into the last-16.
It’s a fair result as Man City have offered nothing in return this evening.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
21:23 , Mike Jones64 mins: Kylian Mbappe was had a blast tonight.
Three goals without breaking sweat and in front of the Madrid fans.
A clinical and dominant performance that will send him on his way to becoming a Madrid favourite.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg) - Kylian Mbappe, 61'
21:19 , Mike JonesBoom!
Mbappe is positioned on the edge of the box and receives the simplest of passes.
He cuts inside of Phil Foden with a step over then guides the ball into the far bottom corner!
It’s a hat-trick.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
21:17 , Mike Jones60 mins: Ilkay Gundogan and Josko Gvardiol combine well on the edge of the box before the midfielder wins a corner.
Omar Marmoush whips the ball into the box but Thibaut Courtois clings onto the ball with strong hands.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
21:15 , Mike Jones58 mins: Federico Valverde gets the ball on the right wing.
He controls it then whips a cross into the penalty area.
Kylian Mbappe lunges for the ball and pokes it wide as he gets cleaned out by a sprawling Ederson.
The striker is okay but that collision hurt him a touch.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
21:14 , Mike Jones55 mins: Manchester City need to believe they can get back into this game.
Get one goal, get a second and then watch the panic set in for the hosts.
It’ll be difficult but they need to make something happen somehow.
'Real are toying with City'
21:09 , Richard Jolly at Bernabeu“Real lost 4-0 in Manchester a couple of years ago.
“They have the chance to exact revenge, to win by a similar, or perhaps even bigger, scoreline here.
“It may depend simply on whether they want to. They are toying with City.”
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
21:08 , Mike Jones51 mins: It’s all so comfortable for Real Madrid now.
They are head and shoulders above Man City in terms of pace, skill, movement, class.
I can imagine this is painful viewing for the City fans.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
21:06 , Mike Jones48 mins: Aurelien Tchouameni takes the ball off Savinho just as he got into a position to shoot outside the box.
Madrid bring the ball up the pitch and set up Rodrygo who blazes a shot over the bar.
Second half! Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
21:02 , Mike JonesReal get the ball rolling again at the Bernabeu.
Pep Guardiola hasn’t made any changes at the break and the only change made was to replace John Stones in the first half.
Can this City side find a way back into this match?
HT Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
20:59 , Mike JonesElsewhere in the Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund are through after a 0-0 draw with Sporting. They went through 3-0 on aggregate after an impressive first leg.
Juventus are 2-1 up on aggregate against PSV and Paris Saint-Germain are into the last-16 as they currently lead 5-0 over Brest on aggregate.
HT Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
20:55 , Mike JonesManchester had an expected goals (xG) stat of 0.05 in the first half.
They had one shot in total and it wasn’t on target.
Remember, Pep Guardiola’s men need to scoree three goals to force extra time.
HT Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
20:51 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
20:47 , Mike Jones45+2 mins: The whistle goes to signal the end of a poor 45 minutes from Man City.
They’re two goals down on the night, three on aggregate and they’ve had no threat in the attacking third.
Lots for Pep Guardiola to think about.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
20:45 , Mike Jones45 mins: A couple of minutes to be added on at the end of the first half.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
20:44 , Mike Jones42 mins: The gulf between the two teams is very visible.
City haven’t clicked at all and they’re looking slow and shaky in their build-up play.
Not even Pep Guardiola can turn this around.
'There'll be no way back for City'
20:40 , Richard Jolly at Bernabeu“5-2 on aggregate now and there will surely be no way back for City now.
“They look stretched when Real attack. Mbappe's pace could make him the worst possible opponent for a team who have to chase a game.
“And even though City have included some of the younger, more physical players they bought in January, Real still look stronger and quicker; especially when up against Ilkay Gundogan.”
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
20:39 , Mike Jones39 mins: Jude Bellingham is booked for a tackle on Phil Foden.
He clips his England teammate and gives up a free kick.
Bellingham rolls his eyes when the card comes out and isn’t pleased about the punishment.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
20:37 , Mike Jones36 mins: Real Madrid could run riot here.
Manchester City are nowhere near their best and haven’t really trouble Thibaut Courtois.
They need to score three goals now and have to start attacking the area.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg) - Kylian Mbappe, 33'
20:34 , Mike JonesGame over!
That’s enough for Real Madrid who will storm to victory from here.
Bellingham slides Vinicius Jr in on the right side and he squares the ball.
Madrid knock it into the area to Mbappe who cuts inside Gvardiol and sits the defender down.
Mbappe then curls a fine effort past Ederson and makes Madrid’s lead too much for City.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:29 , Mike Jones29 mins: Save!
Another long ball over the top gets Mbappe in behind the City line once more.
He nudges the ball into the box and then fizzes a shot at goal only for Ederson to palm it away.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:28 , Mike Jones27 mins: A quick break from Madrid sees Vinicius Jr bring the ball forward before laying it off to Mbappe on the left.
He floats a cross into the far side of the box and almost finds Federico Valverde only for a last ditch header to take the ball away from him.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:23 , Mike Jones24 mins: Khusanov is going to have a tough night.
Real Madrid are targeting him with ease, Jude Bellingham is the latest to dribble past the defender and win a corner.
City deal with this set piece too.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:19 , Mike Jones21 mins: A corner from Rodrgyo is flicked onto the head of Jude Bellingham.
He nods it over towards the back post where Mbappe looks for the volley.
Josko Gvardiol gets there before him and clears the danger.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:18 , Mike Jones18 mins: A City free kick is headed comfortably clear by Real who seem very pleased and happy with how things are playing out... rightly so.
Any nerves or pressure has evaporated completely and the hosts seem dangerous every time they go forward.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:14 , Mike Jones15 mins: This tie might be over already. Another Real goal will certainly send the hosts through.
Vini Jr takes on Khusanov and dances around him with the simplest of step-overs.
His pass into the box is then deflected out for a corner.
'Will Ake last 84 minutes?'
20:13 , Richard Jolly at Bernabeu“A doubly terrible start for City.
“First with Mbappe's goal - that is why a high defensive line is a risk against Real - and then with the loss of John Stones.
“He was terrific in the second half at the Bernabeu last season.
“He won't be this season and the temptation is to wonder if his replacement, Nathan Ake, will be able to last 84 minutes.”
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:12 , Mike Jones13 mins: City look to attack down the right but run the ball out of play.
Real Madrid seem happy to let City have the ball. A difficult task is now a whole lot harder for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:11 , Mike Jones10 mins: Phil Foden brings the ball down the right side and slots it into the Omar Marmoush in the penalty area.
He sends it over to Josko Gvardiol who cuts onto his right foot and shoots.
The effort is blocked.
'Khusanov vs Vinicius should be interesting'
20:09 , Richard Jolly at Bernabeu“Foden as the false nine, Marmoush on the left, Bernardo Silva in a midfield trio with City trying to outnumber Real in the centre of the pitch.
“Khusanov against Vinicius should be interesting when that duel starts in earnest.”
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
20:08 , Mike Jones7 mins: There’s been a break in play as John Stones calls for the physios.
He sent the ball away as Vinicius Jr looks to press high.
Something pulls in Stones’ leg and he immediately calls to the bench to come off.
Nathan Ake replaces him. A horrendous start for City.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg) - Kylian Mbappe, 4'
20:05 , Mike JonesHuge moment!
Kylian Mbappe takes on the Man City centre-backs as a long ball comes forward.
Ruben Dias slips to the ground as Mbappe lifts a first-time shot over Ederson and sends Madrid into the lead!
Real Madrid 0-0 Man City (3-2 agg)
20:03 , Mike Jones3 mins: Omar Marmoush looks to dart in behind and receives the ball on the left side of the pitch.
He’s tracked by Raul Asencio who pokes the ball out for a throw in with a perfectly timed challenge.
There’s some steely focus in the eyes of both teams.
Kick off! Real Madrid 0-0 Man City (3-2 agg)
20:00 , Mike JonesManchester City kick off the game and roll the ball back to Ederson. He sends it into the midfield and City look to build from the back.
Real Madrid vs Man City
19:55 , Mike JonesHere come the players.
The Bernabeu is lit up and the atmosphere is all-encompassing.
City now they need to win tonight in order to keep their European campaign alive.
A big name will be leaving the competition before the last-16 but who will it be?
Let’s find out, kick off is up next....
A record looms for Haaland
19:50 , Mike JonesMan City striker Erling Haaland has scored 49 goals in 48 Champions League games, with his brace in the first leg his first ever strikes against Real Madrid.
A goal here would see him become the fastest to 50 goals in terms of both appearances and age (24 years 213 days).
Bellingham likes facing City
19:45 , Mike JonesReal Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has scored more Champions League goals against Manchester City than he has versus any other opponent (3).
It’s also the joint-highest number of goals an English player has scored against an English opponent in the competition (Frank Lampard also 3 vs Liverpool).
Ancelotti vs Guardiola
19:40 , Mike JonesCarlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola will be the first managers to face each other on 10 occasions in the Champions League.
Eight of which have come while in charge of their current clubs, Real Madrid and Manchester City. Ancelotti has won four of the nine meetings so far (drawn three, lost two), while he’s never lost at home to the Spaniard (two wins, two draws).
Will City win if they score?
19:35 , Mike JonesCity have lost three Champions League games when scoring the first goal this season – 1-4 against Sporting CP, 2-4 against PSG and 2-3 against Real Madrid.
No team has ever lost four games despite going 1-0 up in a single campaign before.
Will Pep end his losing streak?
19:30 , Mike JonesManchester City have lost each of their last three away games in the Champions League.
Only once previously have they last four in a row in the competition (under Roberto Mancini between 2011 and 2012).
This is already Pep Guardiola’s longest losing streak away from home in the Champions League.
'Has Guardiola overthought it?"
19:28 , Richard Jolly at Bernabeu“Has Pep Guardiola decided to go out by overthinking it?
“Manchester City manager is no stranger to strange team selections for major matches. This could be another, albeit with the context an issue.
“There were some whispers today that Erling Haaland was not fully fit and he does not start.
“This guess is that Omar Marmoush leads the line, but perhaps Phil Foden will.
The possibility is that Abdukodir Khusanov plays right-back. Or maybe it is a back three. We will see.”
Eagle eyes
19:25 , Mike JonesReal Madrid have only failed to score in one of their last 78 Champions League home games (207 goals scored), doing so in a 3-0 loss to CSKA Moscow in December 2018.
Man City vs Spanish opposition
19:20 , Mike JonesManchester City have lost nine of their 27 Champions League meetings with Spanish opponents, almost twice as many defeats than against sides from any other nation (5 vs French and German teams).
Indeed, their nine losses vs Spanish teams accounts for 28% of their overall defeats in the competition (9/32).
Madrid vs City at Bernabeu
19:15 , Mike JonesReal Madrid have lost just one of their six Champions League home games against Manchester City (three wins, two draws), going down 2-1 in the round of 16 in 2019-20.
A bad omen for City
19:10 , Mike JonesMan City’s 3-2 defeat in the first leg was the fifth time they’ve lost the first leg of a Champions League knockout stage tie, going on to be eliminated on each of the previous four occasions.
Madrid are the favourites
19:05 , Mike JonesReal Madrid’s 3-2 win in the first leg against Man City was the 40th time they’ve won the first leg of a European knockout stage tie away from home.
They’ve progressed from 37 of the previous 39, failing only against Odense Boldklub (1994-95 Uefa Cup) and Ajax (2018-19 Champions League).
Nico Gonzalez: How the ‘mini-Rodri’ is making Man City tick again
19:00 , Richard JollyPep Guardiola was Bayern Munich’s manager when he heard whispers about a young talent in the academy that, three decades earlier, had produced him. It was another midfielder, a Barcelona speciality.
The boy seemed a blend of nurture and nature, at the finishing school at La Masia that Guardiola rates as the best in the game, with the genes of his father Fran Gonzalez, perhaps Deportivo la Coruna’s greatest ever player, a midfielder who was a LaLiga winner and a Spain teammate of the current Manchester City manager.
Nico Gonzalez: How the ‘mini-Rodri’ is making Man City tick again
No De Bruyne or Haaland
18:55 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola makes five changes to the Manchester City team that started the first leg.
Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji drop out for Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez while Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland are replaced with Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan and Omar Marmoush.
Can Man City beat Real Madrid?
18:50 , Mike JonesBernardo Silva believes so. He said: "Always believe that it's possible, always believe no matter what happens in the first 20, 30 minutes of the game that we can stay in the tie, and then follow the plan.
“We know how good they are in running, countering, putting you under pressure in this stadium and we need to deal with those situations."
Man City line-up versus Real Madrid
18:48 , Mike JonesMan City XI: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush
Your City team to take on Real Madrid 🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 19, 2025
XI | Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Nico, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, Kovacic, Haaland, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Nunes, Lewis, McAtee#ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/qn1W7ZBZyz
One change for Madrid
18:41 , Mike JonesCarlo Ancelotti makes just one change to the Real side that lined-up at the Etihad Stadium.
Antonio Rudiger comes into the team and replaces Eduardo Camavinga.
Aurelien Tchouameni moves into midfield alongside Dani Ceballos.
The switch makes Madrid more defensively sound at the back.
Real Madrid starting XI versus Man City
18:35 , Mike JonesReal Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Tchouameni, Ceballoes, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
📋✅ Our starting XI!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 19, 2025
🆚 @ManCity pic.twitter.com/ot3k5IT6eP
Bernardo Silva on Real Madrid rivalry
18:32 , Mike JonesMan City midfielder, Bernardo Silva, said: "It's a mix of emotions; we knocked them out of the Champions League twice, they knocked us out twice.
“So now it's the fifth time that we go against each other.
“When you get eliminated twice, it's not nice, especially given the way some of them were."
Madrid's tough run
18:25 , Mike JonesReal Madrid are unbeaten in their last three games with each match being a tough fixture either in LaLiga or the Champions League.
Ancelotti is proud of the way his team are performing and they can cap off a tough run by reaching the last-16 tonight.
The manager said: "These have been three demanding matches. We have not only had good results, the team is working well.
“This gives us confidence and a positive spirit.
“We have to continue playing well, with quality, but we are also benefitting from sacrifice and collective commitment."
Ancelotti on Mbappe
18:19 , Mike JonesCarlo Ancelotti also addressed the form of Kylian Mbappe and praised the temperament of the Real forward.
Of Mbappe, Ancelotti said: "I don't see anything new. He is motivated, physically fit, and he shows it.
“He handles stress very well before the match, he remains very calm. Right now, he is doing very well."
'It's a fun tie' says Ancelotti
18:12 , Mike JonesReal Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is looking forward to tonight’s match and hopes his team repeat what they did at the Etihad last week.
He said: "We're trying to repeat last week's performance. It's a fun tie where we have to give everything for 90 minutes."
Why Manchester City require an ‘almost perfect’ game to defeat perennial enemy Real Madrid
18:05 , Richard JollyThe perfectionist is aiming to be almost perfect. Manchester City have been wildly imperfect this season; it is why they think they are on the brink of their earliest Champions League exit since Roberto Mancini’s reign.
Pep Guardiola won 6-2 on his first trip to the Bernabeu as a manager. He doesn’t need a similar scoreline but he may require a greater shock if his City are to knock out Real Madrid now.
Why Man City require an ‘almost perfect’ game to defeat perennial enemy Real Madrid
What are the Champions League knockout matchdays?
17:57 , Mike JonesRound of 16: 4/5 & 11/12 March 2025
Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April 2025
Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 May 2025
Final: 31 May 2025 (Allianz Arena, Munich)
Which teams have qualified for the Champions League last-16?
17:51 , Mike JonesThe teams who finished in the top eight of the competition's new league phase table automatically qualified for the last 16.
Uefa paired off every team based on their first-phase league position into a predetermined bracket, which will affect who they can face in the last-16.
According to the new rules, the seeded sides will all play the second legs of their ties at home.
Seeded:
- Liverpool
- Barcelona
- Arsenal
- Inter Milan
- Atletico Madrid
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Lille
- Aston Villa
Unseeded:
- Bayern Munich
- Feyenoord
- Benfica
- Club Brugge
- Real Madrid or Man City
- Borussia Dortmund or Sporting
- PSG or Brest
- PSV or Juventus
How can I watch the Champions League draw?
17:45 , Mike JonesThe draw for the next rounds of the Champions League takes place at 11am GMT on Friday, 21 February at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
The draw will be streamed live on Uefa’s website and, in the UK, on TNT Sports. You can also follow dedicated coverage on The Independent’s live blog on the day.
When is the Champions League last-16 draw?
17:37 , Mike JonesThe draw for the last 16 of the Champions League will take place at Uefa headquarters this Friday, after the conclusion of eight intriguing play-off ties in midweek.
Europe’s most prestigious cup competition sees the end of the inaugural knockout play-off round tonight, with Manchester City looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit away to Real Madrid in the pick of the games.
Man City and Real Madrid got what they wanted but now face new Champions League playoff problem
17:30 , Miguel DelaneyBy now, Real Madrid and Manchester City have met so often in the Champions League that Florentino Perez and Khaldoon Al Mubarak have a distinctive relationship. Close observers have noted how the City chair can act deferentially towards the elder figure, while Perez adopts an intrigued demeanour.
It’s all rather superficial, of course. The two have been on opposite sides of one of the main divides in the modern game, and the rest of football knows how hard-line both clubs can become.
Man City and Real Madrid got what they wanted but now face Champions League problem
More from Valverde,
17:22 , Mike JonesValverde also spoke baout how filling in at right-back is helping the team amid Real Madrid’s injury crisis.
He added: "I have adapted well because I have great role models like Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez, legends who have won everything.
“I always try to contribute my bit. I am willing to help the team and the coach and, for me, the important thing is to remain in the starting line-up.
“I am happy to be doing well in another position."
Valverde on winning the first leg
17:15 , Mike JonesThe Real Madrid midfielder continued by saying: "I am very happy with the great game we played in the first leg, showing a lot of faith, desire, and motivation.
“I see how my team-mates are training these days and that gives me peace of mind.
“It gives me a lot of confidence to be able to qualify, which is what we all want and why we are here."
'We know how important it is to win'
17:07 , Mike JonesReal Madrid midfielder, Federico Valverde, spoke in a pre-match press conference yesterday about what tonight’s match means for his team.
He said: "We know how important it is to win tomorrow, but it will be tough.
“We want to continue growing as a group and achieving things together.
“We will try to make it a night to remember for all Real Madrid fans, one that brings us a little closer to the most beautiful title of all."
Pep Guardiola sends message to Real Madrid over criticism of referees
17:00 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola has told Real Madrid to back off the referees as their complaints over Jude Bellingham’s recent sending off continue to rumble.
England international Bellingham was dismissed for foul language in Real’s weekend LaLiga draw at Osasuna after apparently swearing in the direction of the referee.
Pep Guardiola sends message to Real Madrid over criticism of referees
Guardiola weighs in on Bellingham ban
16:52 , Mike JonesManchester City manager Pep Guardiola said the translation of Jude Bellingham’s comments were not the issue wih his confrontation with a referee during Real Madrid’s last LaLiga game.
"My English is good, but I don't understand the difference between f*** off and f*** you," Guardiola said ahead of the second leg of the two teams’ Champions League play-off tie.
"But what's important is the intention, not the insult. The best thing is not to do it and leave the referees in peace.
"There have always been decisions. You should ask Jude what his intention was. That's what matters.
"Maybe you can insult someone with a great smile on your face and that wouldn't be that bad, right?"
Jude Bellingham banned for ‘disrespect towards referee’
16:45 , Jamie BraidwoodReal Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has been handed a two-game domestic ban following his red card at Osasuna on Saturday.
The England international was shown a straight red card for abusive language by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, but denied swearing towards him.
Bellingham was quoted after the 1-1 draw explaining that his red card was a “misunderstanding”, and he was backed by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
"I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham's English,” Ancelotti explained. “He said f*** off, not f*** you... that's way different.”
Carragher on Rodri banner made by Man City fans
16:38 , Mike JonesDuring the coverage on Man City’s first leg against Real Madrid on Paramount+, Jamie Carragher spoke about a banner of Rodri which mocked Vinicius Jr. It was made by the Man City fans to wind up the Real Madrid forward for losing out on winning the Ballon d’Or.
Carrager said: "It's absolutely ridiculous, we love a laugh and a joke, but what do you gain from that? Why annoy people? Wind somebody up? Do it at the end when you knock them out.
“I don't know what you get out of it? It's not funny tonight, you just got beat. If I were a Man City player, that would annoy me, it's like a jinx. I don't like stuff like that. Why wind up some of the best players in the world?
“You should act like the proper club, everybody laughed at Real Madrid for not going to the Ballon d'Or. It was embarrassing for a club like Real Madrid. Man City shouldn't resort to what they're doing, show some class, a big banner, oh my god.”
Jamie Carragher hits out at Man City fans over pre-match banner vs Real Madrid: ‘Absolutely ridiculous’
16:30 , Mike JonesJamie Carragher hit out at Manchester City fans over a tifo designed to antagonise Real Madrid before their Champions League playoff.
City supporters revealed a banner with Rodri, who beat out Madrid’s Vinicius Jr for the Ballon d’Or, adding the words in reference to an Oasis song: “Stop crying your heart out.”
Vinicius Jr won the player of the match award as Los Blancos stormed back to win 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium before next week’s second leg.
Jamie Carragher hits out at ‘ridiculous’ Man City fans for banner vs Real Madrid
First leg photos
16:23 , Mike JonesHere’s a selection of the best photos from the first leg to wet your whistle for tonight’s main event
What happened at the Etihad?
16:15 , Mike JonesAs soon as this tie was announced the fans knew it would be an exciting affair.
The first leg at the Etihad stadium proved to be so.
Erling Haaland sent the hosts into the lead with 19 minutes on the clock and City did well to repel the constant pressure from Real.
The pressure buckled in the 60th minute as Kylian Mbappe slotted in an equaliser. Pep Guardiola’s side went back ahead 20 minutes later as Haaland converted a penalty but old demons resurfaced.
City have a problem letting in lat goals against Madrid and they did so again with Brahim Diaz making the match 2-2 before Jude Bellingham won it in stoppage time.
Real now take a 3-2 aggregate lead to the Bernabeu and City moust come from behind in order to get through.
How previous meetings have ended
16:08 , Mike JonesEncounters between Real Madrid and Manchester City tend to be lively affairs with some of the Champions League most memorable matches, of recent times, coming when they meet.
Madrid won at the Etihad last time out but before then the two sides played out back-to-back draws in April 2024.
Real went through via a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in the second leg at the Etihad but it is the first leg City will be more focused on.
They drew that game 3-3 at the Bernabeu and, with Pep Guardiola’s men in need of goals tonight, they’ll take heart from that result and know they can put plenty of goals past their opponents.
The true impact of Man City’s Rodri banner and what it revealed about Real Madrid
16:00 , Miguel DelaneyAs soon as Vinicius Junior had Manchester City’s Rodri banner explained to him, his facial expression changed. He duly went and changed the first leg for Real Madrid, securing a 3-2 lead.
Given these super clubs are these days so obsessed with projection and image, for many different reasons, it is perhaps fitting that a mere banner has so influenced the tie.
The wonder is what Madrid themselves come up with, since giant tifos are organised for the ultra end for every major Champions League game. Famous last words, perhaps, but they are unlikely to think of anything like City’s.
The true impact of Man City’s Rodri banner and what it revealed about Real Madrid
Real Madrid vs Man City prediction
15:53 , Mike JonesMan City’s win over Newcastle showed that they are still capable of brilliant performances, though Madrid have become experts at winning matches in this competition.
It looks unlikely that City will have enough to grab an away win to overturn the deficit from the first leg meaning the 15x champions should get through.
It’ll be a close one though.
Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City.
Early team news for Manchester City
15:45 , Mike JonesCity boss Guardiola now knows that he will be without Manuel Akanji for around eight weeks, and there will also be late fitness tests for Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, who both sat out the weekend’s win over Newcastle.
There were some fears that Erling Haaland had injured himself towards the end of the weekend’s win, but Guardiola later said that the “doctors didn’t come with bad news” regarding the issue.
Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Gonzalez. Gundogan; Savinho, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland.
Real Madrid early team news
15:39 , Mike JonesCarlo Ancelotti has no new injury concerns after the weekend’s draw to Osasuna, with the Italian potentially welcoming back some key names.
Reports from Spain suggest that Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Lucas Vasquez could all return to the squad tonight, though Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain out for the season.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Rodrygo, Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vini Jr.
How can I watch the match?
15:32 , Mike JonesThe match will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm.
Subscribers can also watch online via discovery+.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
