Manchester City vs Real Madrid summary: score, goals, highlights, Champions League
Champions League: Manchester City - Real Madrid live updates
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 on aggregate, 3-4 on penalties): full-time thoughts
Where to begin in trying to sum that game up?
City will feel as if they exerted enough pressure on Real Madrid in 120 minutes to have won the game, although the LaLiga giants deserve huge plaudits for their defending, almost managing to keep the hosts out after being on the back foot for long spells.
The opening half-an-hour, it should be said, wasn’t like that at all, with Madrid carrying a big threat on the counterattack, which led to the opening goal for Rodrygo.
Guardiola’s men gradually began to turn the screw as the half wore on but had little joy in the final third, with Haaland’s looping header against the crossbar their only serious moment of danger.
The second half was one-way traffic in City’s favour but they came up against a stubborn defence that left few spaces to be exploited. Despite Madrid barely attacking at all, it looked as if they might hold on for a hard-fought win, only for De Bruyne to equalise from close-range with 15 minutes to go after good work from Doku, who made a big impact after coming on as a sub.
The Premier League side continued to do most of the probing in the time left, although extra-time was less of a monologue, with Madrid getting a second wind without ever threatening a second goal. As was the case throughout the game, City had a few efforts from distance without creating anything clear-cut, and the tie went to penalties.
Bernardo and Kovacic both saw their spot-kicks saved, allowing Rüdiger the chance to send Los Merengues through to the last four, where they will face Bayern Munich.
Champions League semi-finals await
That's it for another incredible week of Champions League soccer. Dortmund and PSG overturned first-leg deficits to progress and will face each other in the semi-finals, while Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will meet after narrowly edging their second legs.
Two weeks until the last four gets underway...can you wait that long?
Jude Bellingham: "Most teams would fall apart against City"
"It's relief. You put so much into the game. I've played against City before and they snatch it away from you. I was pretty much dead on my feet at the end.
"It's so difficult. They are continuously probing with the ball and move you around. Most teams would fall apart when City get on top of you but we stood up really well.
"I could never dream of how it's started, just the feeling you get playing for the club - getting to put the badge on your chest. Long may it continue. Hopefully more nights like this.
"Our biggest strength is Carlo Ancelotti finds a way to let a lot of boys play with freedom. We're so off the cuff. As a man he fills you with calmness and confidence. I caught him yawning and he said to go out and excite him.
"You have to see it as a responsibility not a pressure if you want to play for a team like Real Madrid.
"Today it came down to mentality.
"It's beautiful. My brother is here today, the first time he's seen me play for Madrid."
Jude Bellingham just gets Real Madrid
And Real Madrid definitely get Jude Bellingham. What a first season for the young Englishman. And it looks like it's only going to get better.
Andriy Lunin plays it cool after Real Madrid win
"It's only the quarter-finals, lads," I can just imagine Lunin saying. Two saves in the shootout from the goalkeeper, who has proved a more than able deputy for Thibaut Courtois.
Rodri suffers Manchester City defeat...or does he?
Does a penalty shootout defeat count as a football match you've lost? There's probably a debate to be had there. I know what it'd be claiming if I were Rodri, though.
Real Madrid defy the stats to defeat Manchester City
33 shots to eight? 88 touches in the opposition box to 12? 67% possession to 33%? No problem for Real Madrid.
You've got to stick the ball in the net more times than your opponent, remember?
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Here's the story of how the quarter-finals unfolded, along with a little bit more info on the rest of the competition, including key dates, venue for the final and everything you could possibly need to know.
2023/24 Champions League semi-final draw
Fancy an updated Champions League semi-final draw? Of course you do:
- Borussia Dortmund - PSG
- Bayern Munich - Real Madrid
The ties will be played on 30 April/1 May, and 7/8 May. The teams listed first will be at home in the first leg.
Rüdiger the shootout hero for Real Madrid
I'm not sure I felt massively confident Rüdiger would score, but what do I know? In off the post is as close to perfection as you can get in a shootout.
Real Madrid's Champions League revenge on Manchester City
They were comfortably beaten by Manchester City in the semi-finals last season. 12 months later, Real Madrid are the ones whose hopes of lifting the trophy are still alive.
Real Madrid always find a way
That's exactly it. No matter how much they might be outplayed or look as if they are on the ropes, you can NEVER rule Real Madrid out. Incredible stuff.
Full-time: Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 on aggregate, 3-4 on penalties)
City will wonder how they lost, Madrid will wonder how they won. But they do it time and time and time again. Real Madrid will play Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals!
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL REAL MADRID! MADRID WIN THE SHOOTOUT!
RÜDIGER SCORES! MADRID ARE THROUGH!
Rüdiger can will the tie for Real Madrid here...
EDERSON up next! He HAS TO SCORE!
Nacho to take next for Madrid.
City have taken one more penalty, though.
City trail in the shootout. Foden up next...
Vázquez next to take
SAVED! 1-1!
A superb stop down low by Lunin!
Kovacic against his former club...
Bellingham to level the shootout...
SAVED! 1-0 CITY!
One of the worst penalties I've ever seen...Lunin catches it!
Bernardo up next for the hosts...
SAVED! 1-0 CITY!
Ederson gets down low to save from Modric!
Modric next to take.
Here we go! Álvarez to take first!
City to take first in the shootout!
Big stars missing City - Madrid penalty shootout
There'll be no Haaland or De Bruyne for City, but no Rodrygo or Vinícius for Madrid. All have been taken off and are out of the shootout.
When was the last time Real Madrid had a penalty shootout?
Real Madrid have had plenty of Champions League success over the years, but not too many penalty shootouts recently in the competition.
Although there was one rather memorable one...here's Will with the details.
Full-time: Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 on aggregate)
What a game. What a tie. To a penalty shootout we go!
One more minute to find a winner!
Álvarez shot saved!
Foden slips the ball into Álvarez, whose low angled shot is straight at Lunin.
This is enthralling stuff! Everyone looks shattered but they know there's only a couple of minutes left, so they're going to have to go for it.
City need to be careful here. Out of nowhere, Madrid commit body forward and there are spaces in the home defence. Mendy's cross, though, is taken away from Vázquez by Gvardiol.
As soon as I say that, Bellingham has the chance to play Vázquez through on the right, but underhits the pass, allowing Gvardiol to intercept.
City have cranked things up again and are deep in Madrid territory. Five long minutes coming up for the Spaniards.
Modric putting himself about in midfield...is not a phrase I thought I'd be typing. But that's exactly what has just happened on Bernardo, who wanted a foul.
Neither Haaland nor De Bruyne for the penalty shootout for City, if that's what we get...
City changes - De Bruyne off
Stones and Kovacic replace Akanji and the shattered De Bruyne for City.
Vázquez shoots over!
Díaz skips away down the Madrid right but his cross is poor. It's cleared to Vázquez, though, who shoots a yard over.
Real Madrid change
Eder Militão steps up his recovery from an ACL tear by coming on for Carvajal.
Carvajal down
Carvajal is going off here. He went down with nobody near him. Cramp by the looks of it. In both legs. That's what marking Grealish and then Doku will do to you.
City have gone back on the attack in the first couple of minutes. Doku is the man they're looking to to make the difference.
Second period of extra-time underway!
No rest for the wicked. Will we get a winner or are we going to penalties?
Half-time in extra-time: City 1-1 Madrid (4-4 on aggregate)
City continued as the dominant force at the start of those 15 minutes, but Madrid came back into it towards the end.
Which way is this going?!
Huge chance for Rüdiger!
Rüdiger, who had stayed up after the corner, is all alone inside the six-yard box but scoops over when he could quite easily have done better! Right place, wrong man...
Real Madrid's first corner of the game! In the 106th minute...
Two minutes of injury time in the first half of extra-time.
Real Madrid have had a bit of a second wind in the last few minutes. You wouldn't put it past them to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, would you?
Real Madrid change
And that's Vinicius' last act of the game. He looks as if he might be carrying some kind of knock...
Lucas Vázquez is on.
Walker deals with Vinicius
Superb from Walker! Vinicius thinks he's going to race clear but the City defender keeps up with him, gets his body in the way and ushers the ball back to Ederson.
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Why was Haaland taken off against Real Madrid?
Erling Haaland being taken off with City chasing a goal is already raising plenty of eyebrows...so what was Pep Guardiola playing at?
Foden chance!
Wow. Bernardo cuts the ball back from the left and Foden swings and misses it from near the penalty spot!
Álvarez has got a fresh pair of legs on him, which could be crucial at this stage. He skips round the Madrid defence and crosses but Rüdiger is there to clear.
Real Madrid need an outball. Otherwise it's going to keep coming and coming. There's no way they're going to score at the moment.
Doku skips away from Carvajal again, the ball won't quite sit for Foden and Mendy does enough to hack it away. Madrid living on the edge.
City are right back on the front foot. Nothing's changed from the second half.
Doku threatens!
What a menace Doku is! He gets to the goal line and fizzes the ball across goal...but there are no takers. Where's Haaland when you need him?
Bellingham down
Dias smashes into Bellingham, who looks to have caught one in the face. He'll live to fight another day.
First-half of extra-time underway
Here we go again! A minimum of 30 minutes to go!
City change: Haaland replaced
What's going on here? Pep has decided to hook Haaland for extra-time. Julián Álvarez replaces him.
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We do have our third semi-finalists, however! Either City or Madrid will take on Bayern Munich in the last four, who have beaten Arsenal in Germany.
What happened to away goals in the Champions League?
Just in case you were wondering why Manchester City aren't going through to the semi-finals on away goals...here's some pre extra-time reading for you that explains the change that was made by UEFA a few years back.
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Full-time: Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 on aggregate)
That's it! All square on the night and on aggregate. To extra-time we go...
CHANCE FOR HAALAND!
De Bruyne's corner falls to Haaland at the back post...but that's the way it's going for him at the moment. He can't adjust his body to get it on target.
Four minutes are up. But we have a City corner...
Mendy booked
That's incredibly harsh. Mendy slides in on Walker, takes the ball cleanly but is somehow penalised and booked.
One minute to go. Who's up for another 30?
Rodri shoots...and he shouldn't have bothered. A daisy-cutter is easily picked up by Lunin.
Carvajal is a wily old fox, isn't he? Doku looks to be bearing down on goal but is deemed to have caught Carvajal with an arm. Let's say the defender exaggerated the contact a little.
Four minutes of injury time on their way!
Rodri booked
Madrid show a glimpse of what they're capable of, building a counterattack from inside their own box which is brought to a halt by Rodri, who fouls Díaz. Yellow.
Haaland heads wide!
De Bruyne's corner finds Haaland at the far post, but Bellingham (remember him?) gets a tiny flick on it to put the City striker off, and he can't get it on target.
As I thought might be the case, Doku has had quite the impact off the bench. Tiring defenders don't want him to come anywhere near them.
Ederson has just had a touch of the ball. I repeat, Ederson has just had a touch of the ball!
Brahim Díaz getting booed by City fans, which seems a bit harsh...
He appeared in five Premier League games, and 15 in all competitions, for City as a teenager.
Real Madrid change
Brahim Díaz replaces Rodrygo, who's hardly had a kick in the second half (like every Madrid attacker).
City will just keep coming and coming now.
DE BRUYNE CHANCE!
How did he not score?? A superb chance by his standards. Akanji pulls the ball back and KDB blazes over from 12 yards!
What a finale this is going to be! At the moment, it only looks as if there can be one winner.
Real Madrid change
Modric on for Kroos. I would've thought Madrid could do with both of them on to keep possession for more than three seconds.
De Bruyne shoots over!
Almost a second for KDB! His left-footed strike from the edge of the box whistles just over!
4-4 on aggregate!
The momentum is all City's now. But we should know better than to write off Real Madrid...
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 on aggregate)
Doku skips past Valverde, Rüdiger makes a mess of clearing the cross and De Bruyne lashes high past Lunin!
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL MANCHESTER CITY! DE BRUYNE!
There it is! All square on the night and the tie!
Doku does take on Carvajal in almost his first involvement but the defender puts in a brilliant tackle to block his shot.
Foden has three teammates in the middle and floats the ball well behind all of them. That's the way it's been going for City in the final third.
Carvajal is in for a tough final 20 minutes against Doku, I'm going to predict.
Man City change
Doku replaces Grealish for the hosts.
Madrid chance!
That's right, a Real Madrid attack! Valverde is played in on the right and has Vini all alone in the middle. His cross, however, is intercepted by Ederson.
Lunin saves from Grealish!
Grealish jinks into the box and shoots low, with Lunin grabbing the ball at the second attempt before a City shirt can pounce!
13 corners to 0 so far. Not that that's what matters.
City camped outside Madrid box
City are camped outside the Real Madrid box but there are obstacles in the way everywhere. Ancelotti's side have barely featured in attack in this second half.
Even De Bruyne is out-of-sorts. He shanks a volleyed cross out for a goal kick. When have you ever seen that before?
City are probing and probing and probing but there's just no way through. A defensive masterclass from Madrid so far (he says, tempting fate).
Referee Orsato takes a sore one
Ooft, that must've hurt! Referee Orsato takes a clearance full in the stomach and needs a second or two to compose himself...
That looked perfect for Foden! He smashed one in from a similar position at the Bernabéu but he's again closed down just before he can get a shot away.
Gvardiol booked
Gvardiol is ever so slightly late on Bellingham, but late enough for a yellow card, it seems.
Foden shot blocked
Haaland lays the ball off for Foden, but Rüdiger is right on top of him to block his shot from the edge of the box.
Grealish booked
Carvajal was booked for a foul on Grealish. Now Grealish has been booked for a foul on Carvajal.
It's been all City in the second half so far. Madrid are defending brilliantly, though, it must be said.
Akanji chance
It's so hard for City to cut Madrid open. But there are some scraps to be picked up on the edge of the box. Akanji does just that but can't keep it down!
City stick another corner right on top of Lunin. Camavinga heads clear from under his own bar.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Vinicius is going to have to be VERY careful here. He shoves Walker over near the goal line after being beaten to the ball by the City defender. Remember, one yellow card and he'll miss the semi-final first leg (if Madrid progress).
Foden chance!
City are cranking it up. Foden fires one first-time from the edge of the box but it's too close to Lunin, who gathers.
Nacho almost scores own goal!
What a mess that would've been! Facing his own goal, Nacho touches the ball past his own goalkeeper, who rushes off his line, but is quick enough to clear a couple of yards from the line before Haaland can tap the ball in!
Bernardo has just done another little dinky cross from the left. That's all he's done all game. Straight to Lunin that time.
Rodrygo shoots over
Rodrygo drifts inside from the left and shoots from all of 30 yards. Well over.
I don't know how many times so far Bernardo has dinked a cross up to the back post for Haaland. The pair aren't on the same wavelength that time, though, with the ball flying over everyone's head.
Grealish shot saved!
Grealish runs onto a loose ball at the edge of the box and fires one goalward, which Lunin does well to beat away!
City on the attack
A great start from City. Bernardo clips another cross up towards Haaland, but two Madrid bodies do enough to smuggle the ball clear.
Second half underway in Manchester!
Real Madrid get the ball rolling again!
The teams are back out, Second half incoming!
Rodrygo's Premier League victims
Rodrygo, it seems, is quite fond of playing against Premier League clubs in the Champions League. That's his fourth goal against Manchester City alone. And there are 45 minutes (maybe more) still to come.
Manchester City 0-1 Real Madrid: half-time thoughts
It’s gone the way most of us would probably have expected so far. City's domination of possession increased as the first half went on and they had Madrid pinned back in the latter stages.
But Ancelotti’s side defended really well, limiting their opponents to shots from range and crosses into the box. That said, Haaland almost scored from the latter, directing one header against the crossbar and another over when he should’ve done better.
Although Los Blancos were on the back foot for much of the half, they offered a counterattacking threat through Vinicius and Rodrygo in particular. The duo have tried to get in behind the City defence on several occasions and combined for the only goal of the game so far.
Vini broke away down the right and crossed low for his compatriot, whose first effort was saved by Ederson before he gobbled up the second.
Advantage Madrid, but only just.
Erling Haaland still looking for first goal against Madrid
It's not been Erling Haaland's night so far, with a header coming back off the bar and another going over. But there's still time for that to change. We should know better than to write him off, shouldn't we?
Manchester City 0-1 Real Madrid: the first half in numbers
City dominated possession, increasingly so as the first half went on. But Madrid were very disciplined defensively and carried a considerable threat on the counter.
Half-time: Manchester City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 on aggregate)
Rodrygo's goal separates the teams on the night and on aggregate!
Two minutes of injury time.
Foden shoots over!
I've hardly mentioned Foden, but he's here! He lines one up on that left foot from range, but it flies over.
Lunin pushes away De Bruyne corner!
De Bruyne tries a cheeky one from a corner and almost gets the ball to drop in behind Lunin, who tips it over the bar.
Crucial interception from Carvajal!
Foden clips a lovely ball to the back post and Carvajal does really well to head behind under pressure.
A few seconds earlier, Vini slid into Grealish after the ball had gone, which looked a clear foul to me and possibly even a yellow card. He needs to tread carefully, he's on the list of players who are a booking away from a ban.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo down
Nothing wrong with the tackle from De Bruyne, but Rodrygo looks as if he may have tweaked something.
Most of the last 10 minutes or so has been played in the Madrid half. City are ending the first half well.
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Which Real Madrid players are a yellow card away from missing the Champions League semi-final?
Just in case you were wondering...some big names on the "be careful" list.
Carvajal booked
Grealish is hauled down after skipping away from Carvajal, who is booked for his troubles.
He'll miss the first leg of the semi-final, if Madrid get there.
Rodrygo tries to get Vinícius in behind but superb covering from Akanji nips that attack in the bud.
Grealish chance!
Haaland does brilliantly to set Grealish away and his shot from an angle clips Rüdiger and hits the side netting!
De Bruyne furious as he is penalised for a barge in the back on Kroos in the Madrid box.
City are starting to exert a bit more pressure. But they need to make sure they keep the back door shut.
Madrid overplay a bit in their own defensive third and City force a corner. De Bruyne delivers low but the visitors do just enough to get it away.
De Bruyne shoots over!
De Bruyne's influence is rising, which can't be good news for Madrid! He looks up and shoots with his left from 25 yards...too high.
Grealish shot deflected wide
Rodri passes up a chance to shoot but Grealish jinks his way into a shooting position on the edge of the box. Deflected wide off Carvajal.
Madrid chance
Ah, that's a big chance for Madrid! Vini skips away down the left and has Valverde all alone at the far post. His pass forces the Uruguayan slightly wide, but he could still shoot. He chooses a cross instead, which is headed away.
Lunin saves from De Bruyne!
He caught that one though! KDB charges forward and unleashes one, which Lunin does well tip round the post. A good high for the goalkeeper, it must be said.
De Bruyne effort held
A relatively easy take for Lunin from De Bruyne's effort from inside the box. Didn't quite catch that.
Rodrygo nets fifth Champions League goal this season
Rodrygo has scored at least five goals in the competition in three successive seasons.
Carvajal shot blocked!
Camavinga heads forward and Vinícius begins to torment the City defence again. He tees up Carvajal, whose on-target effort from the edge of the box is blocked!
Vinícius almost gets in behind!
What did I just say? Vinícius very nearly gets in behind the City defence but is beaten by the high bounce of the ball.
City are getting plenty of players forward as they control possession but I get the feeling that's exactly what Madrid want. There are spaces for Vinícius and Rodrygo to attack.
City playing their way out of trouble the way almost every other team wants to do but can't. Silky.
Kroos control
A lovely shimmy from Toni Kroos to get away from Haaland there. It was in his own half and didn't lead to anything, but it looked great.
Haaland hits the bar!
How did City not score there??
Lunin pushes De Bruyne's low cross out but it comes back into the box. Haaland's looping header comes off the bar and lands at Bernardo, who can't sort his feet out and bundles the ball wide!
Definitely some more urgency from City since falling behind, as you'd expect.
Haaland heads over!
Bernardo clips another ball up to the far post for Haaland, who jumps a bit to early and can't get his header on target.
City are going to have to be VERY careful to guard against Madrid's counterattacks.
The pace has picked up significantly since the goal! This should be good!
City's response is immediate. De Bruyne whips two dangerous balls into the box, with Lunin touching the first one over and punching the second one away.
Not quite as fast as last week, but what a start nevertheless!
Manchester City 0-1 Real Madrid (3-4 on aggregate)
Madrid worked their way down the right really well. Vini's low cross was met by Rodrygo, whose first-time shot was brilliantly stopped by Ederson, who could do nothing to stop the Brazilian from netting the rebound!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL REAL MADRID! RODRYGO!
Vini is just onside and Rodrygo scores at the second attempt!
Stop what you're doing! Phil Foden has just given the ball away. A "where were you?" moment.
Ederson saves from Camavinga!
Right on cue! Camavinga tries one from long-range, like the one which deflected in off Dias last week. Held by Ederson!
Real Madrid keeping the ball well when they have it. Still waiting for a serious threat from the visitors so far.
De Bruyne gets in behind!
De Bruyne gets in behind down the City right for the first time! Unusually for him, his low cross is cut out relatively easily by Lunin, with Haaland waiting to pounce.
Textbook full-back play from Carvajal, who blocks Bernardo's cross from a dangerous position and the intercepts as Rodri attacks.
The two goalkeepers have had the ball as much as anyone else so far...
Gvardiol takes a sore one as Valverde charges into the back of him. He's made of strong stuff, though, and "Little Pep" will carry on.
Rodrygo does well to put Walker under pressure in the right-back position but can't quite nick the ball off him, which would've set Madrid away.
A much more measured start from both teams compared to last week. We'd already had a goal by this stage in the Bernabéu!
Akanji looks likely to play the "Stones role" for City, moving up into midfield from defence when they have possession.
Kroos plays the ball back to Lunin, who takes a bit of chance with Grealish hanging about. He dealt with it well in the end, though.
Errr...Fede Valverde taking the first GOAL KICK for Real Madrid? Do I need to change my contact lenses?
Underway at the Etihad!
Bernardo Silva gets us going in Manchester!
Are you ready for this? Strap yourselves right in!
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What happens if there's a tie in the Champions League?
The first leg ended 3-3 and most of us reckon we're in for another tight encounter in Manchester. What happens if they can't be separated?
City and Madrid are out at the Etihad!
No, still boos for the anthem. Maybe slightly less than before? Maybe not. "City, City" half drowns it out.
Champions League anthem time!
Have the City fans stopped booing the Champions League anthem after winning the trophy? The question on everyone's lips!
Real Madrid team to play Manchester City
Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinícius.
No surprises. Nacho replaces the suspended Tchouaméni.
- goalkeeper
- 13Andriy Lunin
- defenders
- 22Rüdiger
- 23Ferland Mendy
- 6Nacho
- 2Dani Carvajal
- midfielders
- 15Federico Valverde
- 8Kroos
- 12Camavinga
- forwards
- 5Jude Bellingham
- 7Vinicius Junior
- 11Rodrygo
- substitutes
- CoachCarlo Ancelottis
- 17Lucas Vázquez
- 25Arrizabalaga
- 19Dani Ceballos
- 21Brahim Diaz
- 3Eder Militao
- 20Fran Garcia
- 10Modric
- 14Joselu
- 24Arda Guler
- 30Fran González
Manchester City team to play Real Madrid
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodrigo, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.
Walker is fit to start, Stones and Aké are on the bench after recent knocks.
- goalkeeper
- 31Ederson Moraes
- defenders
- 3Rúben Dias
- 25Manuel Akanji
- 2Walker
- 24Gvardiol
- midfielders
- 10Grealish
- 20Bernardo Silva
- 47Foden
- 16Rodrigo
- 17De Bruyne
- forwards
- 9Erling Braut Haaland
- substitutes
- CoachPep Guardiolas
- 5John Stones
- 52Oscar Bobb
- 6Aké
- 11Jeremy Doku
- 33Carson
- 21Sergio Gómez
- 19Julián Álvarez
- 27Matheus
- 18Stefan Ortega
- 82Rico Lewis
- 8Kovacic
Only a few minutes until kick-off! Let's take another look at the lineups!
Man City - Real Madrid yellow card watch
Six players have to be on their best behaviour and remember to say their pleases and thank yous to ref Orsato. A yellow card and this lot will miss the first leg of the semi-finals:
Manchester City: Manuel Akanji, Rúben Dias
Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, Vinícius Júnior
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Italy's Daniele Orsato is the man in the middle for the game in Manchester. He’ll probably be hoping you don’t remember his name tomorrow, because if you do, he’ll have had a howler. Here’s Will with the lowdown on the Slovenian whistler.
Haaland looking to open account against Real Madrid
Could tonight be the night? Six goals and assist in eight Champions League games for Haaland this season.
Jude Bellingham's Champions League record with Real Madrid
In his debut season with Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham has scored four goals and created four more in seven Champions League appearances.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
OLI SCARFF / AFP
How many times has Carlo Ancelotti won the Champions League?
Despite getting the better of Carlo Ancelotti last season, Guardiola might still be casting admiring glances over towards the Madrid dugout. That’s because the Italian is the only manager in history to have won the trophy four times, twice with AC Milan and twice with Real Madrid.
Guardiala, Zidane and Liverpool’s Bob Paisley are the three-time winners.
How many times has Pep Guardiola won the Champions League?
He's often cited as the best manager of all-time and Pep Guardiola has won three Champions Leagues(two with Barcelona, one with City).
Will he think he might've left one or two out there? Considering it feels as if he's had the best team almost every season forever, maybe he will...
Matthew Ashton - AMA / Getty Images
Real Madrid's Champions League record
I think we all probably know this by now, but here we go again just in case. Real Madrid have won 14 European Cups/Champions Leagues, twice as many as the team second on the honours list, AC Milan.
The LaLiga giants made the competition their own for a while, winning in four seasons out of five between 2013/14 and 2017/18, including three in a row for then manager. Zinedine Zidane.
“Only” one win in the last five years, though.
Real Madrid fans ready to make noise in Manchester
Real Madrid fans have been spoiled by success in the Champions League over the years. Although they might feel they're due another one (by their standards).
MOLLY DARLINGTON / REUTERS
Manchester City's Champions League record
Manchester City finally won their first Champions League in 2022-23 at the 12th attempt, having previously had a few near misses. City have only twice failed to make it to the knockout rounds, were semi-finalists in 2016 and 2022, and beaten finalists in 2021.
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP
Manchester City - Real Madrid: previous meetings
April 2024: Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City
May 2023: Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid
May 2023: Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City
May 2022: Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City
April 2022: Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
August 2020: Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid
February 2020: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
May 2015: Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester City
April 2015: Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid
November 2012: Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid
September 2012: Real Madrid 3-2 Manchester City
In 11 games, I make that 4-3 to Man City, with four draws.
Madrid manager Ancelotti: "Games against City are always spectacular"
"Games against City have always been spectacular and this will be the same. We have to evaluate bearing in mind what happened a week ago, and believe in what we are doing today. The last game was close, now anything can happen. We have the necessary quality to create problems."
City boss Guardiola: "We need to feel pressure"
”We need to feel that pressure. If we focus on having won it last year, we won't have that extra boost we need. We have to be hungry to compete in these games, we need to bring the right energy and we need our supporters. Sometimes we'll have to suffer because it is impossible to dominate during the 90 minutes. We are prepared to perform at the maximum level.”
Clash of the Champions League titans
Manchester City are the current holders, Real Madrid are the most decorated club in the competition's history. Who's getting their hands on it this year (don't count Dortmund, PSG, Bayern or Arsenal out either, of course).
Real Madrid’s 2023/24 Champions League results
Group stage MD1: Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin
Group stage MD2: Napoli 2-3 Real Madrid
Group stage MD3: Braga 1-2 Real Madrid
Group stage MD4: Real Madrid 3-0 Braga
Group stage MD5: Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli
Group stage MD6: Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid
Round of 16, 1st leg: RB Leipzig 1-1 Real Madrid
Round of 16, 2nd leg: Real Madrid 1-0 RB Leipzig (2-1 on aggregate)
Quarter-final, 1st leg: Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City
Real Madrid in the group stage
Real Madrid continued their enviable record of having never failed to get out of the Champions League group stage since the tournament was rebranded in 1992. Los Blancos have made it out of 32 groups since their first appearance in 1995/96 (there were two group stages between 1999/2000 and 2002/03).
Union Berlin, Napoli and Braga were all undone by the Madrid winning machine despite some close encounters.
| group G | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
City and Madrid familiar foes
Nights like these only come around once in a gen...oh, wait. This is the third season in a row Manchester City and Real Madrid have played each other in the knockout stages?
Never mind.
Manchester City’s 2023/24 Champions League results
Group stage MD1: Manchester City 3-1 Red Star Belgrade
Group stage MD2: RB Leipzig 1-3 Manchester City
Group stage MD3: Young Boys 1-3 Manchester City
Group stage MD4: Manchester City 3-0 Young Boys
Group stage MD5: Manchester City 3-2 RB Leipzig
Group stage MD6: Red Star Belgrade 2-3 Manchester City
Round of 16, 1st leg: Copenhagen 1-3 Manchester City
Round of 16, 2nd leg: Manchester City 3-1 Copenhagen (6-2 on aggregate)
Quarter-final, 1st leg: Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City
Manchester City in the group stage
Only two teams won every game in the 2023/24 group stage. Guess which two…
On paper, City didn’t look to have an especially difficult task on their hands to reach the last 16, and that’s how it ultimately proved. But they had a couple of close calls, notable in the home game against RB Leipzig, in which they were 2-0 down before coming back to win.
Quite incredibly, Guardiola’s side have scored exactly three goals in all nine of their Champions League games this season, including the six group stage matches.
| group G | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Nacho replaces Tchouaméni in Real Madrid defence
Nacho has been around the block a fair few times and won't be fazed by facing Manchester City and Erling Haaland as a result. But it's not been one of the club captain's better seasons, with midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, suspended for this game, preferred to him in central defence of late.
A big night for the veteran.
Real Madrid: last five games
13 April: Mallorca 0-1 Real Madrid (LaLiga)
10 April: Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City (Champions League)
1 April: Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Club (LaLiga)
17 March: Osasuna 2-4 Real Madrid (LaLiga)
13 March: Real Madrid 4-0 Celta Viga (LaLiga)
Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
No sign of Real Madrid slowing down
Real Madrid have only lost two games all season, both to city rivals Atlético at the Metropolitano. They come into today’s second leg on a 15-match unbeaten streak, with four wins in their last five games, in which they have scored 14 goals. Something has got to give at the Etihad.
Rafa Babot / Getty Images
Real Madrid clear of Barcelona at the top of LaLiga
Real Madrid have lost only one league game all season and look to be in total control of the title race in LaLiga following Barcelona’s mid-season slump. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are eight points clear of the Catalans going into Sunday’s Clásico at the Bernabéu, which six more league fixtures will follow.
Surely a win, or even a draw, for Los Blancos will be enough to ensure they finish top of the pile?
Erling Haaland and Manchester City arrive at the Etihad
Somebody tell Josko Gvardiol he's starting, please!
Erling Haaland looks as if he's just scored his first ever goal against Real Madrid, which he'll be hoping to do later.
Manchester City: last five games
13 April: Manchester City 5-1 Luton Town (Premier League)
9 April: Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City (Champions League)
6 April: Crystal Palace 2-4 Manchester City (Premier League)
3 April: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
31 March: Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal (Premier League)
Peter Cziborra / Action Images via Reuters
Manchester City's prowess in numbers
As you might expect, there are a whole bunch of stats to reel off just how formidable City are. Guardiola’s boys are unbeaten in 27 games in all competitions, with their last defeat coming against Aston Villa at the start of December. The famously haven’t lost a game with Rodri in the team for well over a year, with the Spaniard missing their last five losses. He starts tonight, sorry Madrid fans.
If there is one chink in their armour it’s that they have struggled for clean sheets of late (two in 10 games, none in the last four) and Erling Haaland seems to have gone off the boil a bit. For him, that means he has "only" scored four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances, and one in his last three Champions League games.
Molly Darlington / REUTERS
Manchester City take control of the Premier League title race
City have been chasing Liverpool and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League for as long as any of us can remember. But both The Reds and The Gunners had potentially disastrous slip-ups at the weekend, all the while the reigning champions battered Luton Town 5-1.
Results in the most recent round of fixtures saw City jump above both of their title rivals and they now hold a two-point lead with six games left to play.
A good time to be a Manchester City fan
Some big smiles on those young faces, and who can blame them after seeing their team win the treble last season and jump to the top of the Premier League this?
Will they be as happy in three hours' time, though?
New Champions League format in 2024/25
In case you missed it, the Champions League will have a new format next season, which is all explained here.
Four extra teams will take part in the group stage, including two from the best performing countries in European competitions in 2023/24, which looks likely to be two from Italy, Germany and England.
Tonight's results, with City, Arsenal and Bayern in action, could have a big say.
Where is the 2023/24 Champions League final?
And just to get all of our admin out of the way...this season's Champions League final will be played at Wembley Stadium in London. Feel like a lot of big games have been played there fairly recently? You're not wrong...
2023/24 Champions League semi-final draw
The draw which took place after the round of 16 was not only for the quarter-finals but also decided the bracket for the semi-finals, which currently looks like this:
- Borussia Dortmund - PSG
- Bayern Munich / Arsenal - Manchester City / Real Madrid
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Live text coverage of Bayern Munich - Arsenal
As well as following the action in Manchester, you can also keep up to date with the goings-on in Germany as Bayern Munich host Arsenal (2-2 in the first leg)! Joe Brennan is bringing you AS USA’s live text coverage from the Allianz Arena as I type, so feel free to keep him company too.
You can keep both pages open so you don’t miss anything.
Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second legs
After yesterday's action-packed second legs, there's no pressure for today, guys...here’s what’s on the menu on Wednesday:
Wednesday 17 April: Bayern Munich - Arsenal (2-2)
Wednesday 17 April: Manchester City - Real Madrid (3-3)
Both games kick off at 3pm ET / 12pm PT.
Manchester City team to play Real Madrid: Walker starts, no Stones
City have made us wait a bit, but it's here!
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodrigo, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.
Walker has been deemed fit to start, but Stones is only on the bench after a recent knock.
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Dortmund overcome Atlético in topsy-turvy tie
BVB made it through to their first semi-final in 11 years after also coming from behind to defeat Atlético Madrid, who were made to pay for a poor first half (and some questionable goalkeeper, I would suggest, from Jan Oblak). Marcel Sabitzer was the hero for the Germans, who scored quick-fire goals at two different points in the game.
Here’s how that one went down at Westfalenstadion/Signal Iduna Park.
Mbappé and PSG punish Barça and Araújo
It was all going oh so smoothly for Barcelona against PSG. 3-2 up from the first leg, Raphinha put them further ahead in the tie early on. But then Ronald Araújo was sent off and they folded like a pack of cards, Kylian Mbappé scoring twice as the French side romped to a 6-4 aggregate victory.
If you missed the game in Montjuïc, here are a few things you can catch up on before today’s action gets underway.
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PSG and Dortmund progress in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-finals
Of course, we’ve already had two Champions League quarter-final second legs this week and let’s just say today’s games have got plenty to live up to!
Tuesday’s results:
Barcelona 1-4 Paris Saint-Germain (4-6) on aggregate)
Dortmund 4-2 Atlético Madrid (5-4 on aggregate)
When will Courtois and Alaba be back for Real Madrid?
Thibaut Courtois ruptured his meniscus after almost completing his recovery from an ACL tear. The big Belgian goalkeeper has ruled himself out of playing at Euro 2024 but could yet feature for Real Madrid before the end of the season. Would they risk him in the Champions League final - if they get there - on 1 June?
We won't see Alaba again until next season after he suffered his own ACL injury in December.
Team news: Real Madrid
As mentioned, Tchouaméni serves a one-match suspension, which means an actual central defender will have to play in central defence. Nacho has been picked ahead of Eder Militão, who is lacking match sharpness after recovering from an ACL tear but is on the bench.
Long-term injury victims Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba are still out.
Real Madrid team to play Manchester City
And if you'd rather see that Real Madrid lineup with a nice graphic (and why wouldn't you?), this one's for you!
Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinícius.
No surprises, I'd suggest.
Carlo Ancelotti names Real Madrid team to face City
As for the Real Madrid team...well, it's already out! In true Carlo Ancelotti fashion. No Tchouaméni for the Spaniards is the big news.
Visionhaus / Visionhaus/Getty Images
Kyle Walker: Manchester CIty’s Vinícius antidote
Much has been made in the past about both City and England using the pacy Walker to shackle opposition speedsters such as Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
He didn't have the chance to perform the role in Madrid and will no doubt be handed a stern test on his return from a hamstring problem if he does start.
Guardiola has indicated late decisions will be made on whether Walker and Nathan Aké, who has been struggling with a calf issue, play from the off.
Team news: Manchester City
City's main selection dilemma centres around defenders Kyle Walker and Nathan Aké, neither of whom played in the first leg but were unused subs in the weekend win over Luton. Will they be risked against Real Madrid?
Rodri will return in midfield after being rested on Saturday, while John Stones is expected to be fit after a recent niggle.
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Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City: Champions League quarter-final first leg
My esteemed colleague Will Gittins was all over that first leg at the Bernabéu. Here’s how it went down last week.
Juan Medina / REUTERS
Real Madrid and Manchester City play out first-leg thriller
Missed the first leg? Fear not, here’s a little recap!
Much was made about Madrid having nine days off because of the Copa del Rey final in Spain, but they were caught cold in just the second minute as Bernando Silva’s free-kick caught out the snoozing Andriy Lunin at the near post.
The hosts quickly woke from their slumber, however, and were ahead a little over 10 minutes later. First, Eduardo Camavinga’s long-range strike flicked off Rúben Dias and past Stefan Ortega before Rodrygo raced away down the left and somehow managed to poke the ball in for 2-1.
Three goals inside the first 15 minutes and we were far from done. City upped the pace, especially in the early stages of the second half, and slowly turned the tied in their favour. However, it took two brilliant long-range efforts to undo a resilient Madrid defence, with Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol emphatically finding opposite corners within minutes of one another.
But we all know better than to write Real Madrid off, even when if feels as if we should. A brilliant Fede Valverde volley completed the scoring on the night for 3-3, leaving the tie perfectly set up for the second leg.
What time does Manchester City against Real Madrid kick off?
It’s Roddy here to take you through the action as it unfolds. The game in Manchester gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which is 3:00 p.m. ET and 12:00 a.m. PT. Early/extended lunch breaks all round!
Hello and welcome to live text coverage of Manchester City - Real Madrid!
Hello and welcome to AS USA’s live text coverage of Manchester City against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. It was the stand-out tie when the draw was made but it’s had plenty of competition in the last eight…that said, the first leg at the Bernabéu finished 3-3, so it absolutely did not disappoint!
Will Pep Guardiola or Carlo Ancelotti be leading their team to face Bayern Munich or Arsenal in the semi-finals? We’ll find out soon enough!