Actual Madrid and Manchester Metropolis renew their fashionable Champions League rivalry on Wednesday evening after they meet on the Santiago Bernabeu for the primary leg of their last-16 tie.
This would be the sixteenth assembly between the 2 golf equipment within the competitors and remarkably the primary time in Champions League historical past that the identical fixture has taken place within the knockout phases throughout 5 consecutive seasons.
Actual Madrid are aiming to win a record-extending sixteenth European title this season, however their path to the knockout rounds proved extra sophisticated than anticipated.
Los Blancos completed ninth within the League Section, lacking out on computerized qualification and dropping into the play-off spherical.
A 4-2 defeat to Benfica on the ultimate matchday confirmed their play-off spot, though Alvaro Arbeloa’s aspect responded by defeating the Portuguese membership 3-1 on mixture to safe their place within the final 16.
Madrid have an impressive file in Champions League last-16 ties, progressing from 13 of their final 15 at this stage and successful the primary leg in 10 of their final 12 knockout ties.
Manchester Metropolis secured computerized qualification for the final 16 this season after ending eighth within the League Section with 16 factors from eight matches.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect recorded 5 wins throughout that stage, together with the notable 2-1 triumph on the Bernabeu courtesy of objectives from Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly.
The Metropolis supervisor will take cost of his one hundred and ninetieth Champions League match on Wednesday, drawing stage with Sir Alex Ferguson. Nevertheless, his group’s latest away file within the competitors is much less convincing, with solely two wins from their final eight Champions League away matches.
Metropolis have additionally struggled traditionally towards Spanish sides in two-legged ties, shedding seven of their final 10 in UEFA competitions, though they’ve received each of their away video games towards Spanish opposition on this season’s match.
Crew information for Actual Madrid v Manchester Metropolis
Actual Madrid are anticipated to be with out a number of key gamers. Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are each prone to miss the match by harm, whereas Rodrygo is sidelined with an ACL.
Eder Militao, Dani Ceballos and Alvaro Carreras are additionally unavailable, whereas Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba shall be assessed earlier than kick-off.
Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono can be found once more after home suspensions, though neither participant is anticipated to start out.
Manchester Metropolis have fewer harm considerations. Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic stay sidelined, however Pep Guardiola is anticipated to call a robust line-up after making a number of modifications within the FA Cup on the weekend.
Erling Haaland, who was rested towards Newcastle, ought to return to guide the assault. The Norwegian has scored 56 objectives in 56 Champions League appearances and has a superb file towards Spanish golf equipment within the competitors.
Anticipated line-ups for Actual Madrid v Manchester Metropolis
Actual Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler; G Garcia, Vinicius Jr
Manchester Metropolis: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Marmoush
The place to look at Actual Madrid v Manchester Metropolis: TV channel, on-line stream
The match shall be broadcast dwell in the UK on TNT Sports activities.
Subscribers also can watch the sport through the Discovery+ streaming platform on cell gadgets, tablets and sensible TVs.
Kickoff on the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled for 8:00pm GMT on Wednesday.
The stats for Actual Madrid v Manchester Metropolis
- Actual Madrid have reached the Champions League final 16 for 23 consecutive seasons
- Los Blancos have progressed from 13 of their final 15 last-16 ties
- Manchester Metropolis beat Actual Madrid 2-1 on the Bernabeu earlier on this season’s competitors
- Erling Haaland has scored 56 objectives in 56 Champions League appearances
- Pep Guardiola will handle his one hundred and ninetieth Champions League match on this fixture
Prediction for Actual Madrid v Manchester Metropolis
Actual Madrid
1
–
2
Manchester Metropolis
The absence of each Mbappe and Bellingham would considerably weaken Actual Madrid in assault and midfield, whereas Manchester Metropolis arrive in robust kind and already know they’ll win on the Bernabeu this season. The Spanish giants stay harmful in Europe, however Metropolis might have sufficient high quality to take a slender benefit into the second leg.
