Manchester City vs Real Madrid in Champions: dates, times, and everything you need to know

The draw for the UEFA Champions League 'play-offs' has resulted in a new Manchester City vs Real Madrid. The Manchester team could have faced Bayern Munich for a spot in the round of 16, but the Bavarians are on the other side of the bracket, against Celtic. Now, Pep Guardiola's side will seek revenge after their defeat against the 'merengues' in the quarter-finals of the previous edition (4-4 on aggregate, 3-4 on penalties), where Carlo Ancelotti's team advanced on penalties. 

In their three previous encounters, the winning team ended up with the 'big ears'. However, there was a precedent in 2020 where, after eliminating the whites in the round of 16, the 'sky blue' team surprisingly fell in the next phase against Olympique de Lyon (1-3). The title that season went to Bayern (1-0 in the final against PSG).

When is the Madrid-City Champions 'play-off' match?

The first leg of the Champions 'play-off' between Manchester City and Real Madrid will be played on Tuesday, February 11, at the Etihad Stadium, with the time to be determined. The Manchester team has never lost at home against the 'White House', with a record of 3 wins and 3 draws in 6 appearances. With Pep Guardiola on the bench, Madrid could only salvage a draw in last season's quarter-finals (1-1), although the record is balanced in 'KO' rounds (two for each team).

Where to watch the Madrid-City Champions 'play-off'?

• When is Manchester City - Real Madrid (first leg): Tuesday, February 11 (time to be determined)
• Where is it played: Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
• Where can it be watched: Movistar +

Eight days later, 'merengues' and 'citizens' will determine which team advances to the round of 16 to face Atlético de Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. The return match will be held at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, February 18. Just like in the semi-finals of the 2021-22 season, the tie will be decided in Chamartín. In the round of 16, the qualifying team will close their tie away from home.

• When is Real Madrid - Manchester City (return leg): Wednesday, February 18 (time to be determined)
• Where is it played: Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
• Where can it be watched: Movistar +

In Spain, the City - Madrid tie will be broadcast live on the channels M+ Liga de Campeones, M+ Liga de Campeones 4 and LaLiga TV (Bar), through the Movistar operator, which will also offer the match online and accessible from your mobile, tablet, computer, or Smart TV.

• M+ Liga de Campeones: Channel 60 of Movistar Plus+ and 115 of Orange
• M+ Liga de Campeones 5: Channel 182 of Movistar Plus+ and 277 of Orange
• LaLiga TV (Bar): Channel 146 of Movistar (exclusive for bars and public venues)

This is how Real Madrid and Manchester City arrive at their fourth consecutive Champions tie

Unlike recent seasons, Manchester City arrives at the clash against Real Madrid lagging in the title race of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola's team is fourth in the standings, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool (with one game less) and comes off a disappointing league phase in the Champions. The reigning English champions barely accumulated 11 points from 3 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, finishing in 22nd place. 

In fact, City could only defeat lower-tier rivals so far (Slovan Bratislava, Sparta Prague, and Bruges), with heavy defeats against Sporting CP (4-1), Juventus (2-0), and PSG (4-2). Madrid, on the other hand, also did not shine in the league phase, but earned 4 more points (15) and finished in 11th place, with 5 wins and 3 losses.

Carlo Ancelotti's team fell to Lille (1-0), Milan (1-3), and Liverpool (2-0), but secured their qualification after defeating Stuttgart (3-1), Dortmund (5-2), Atalanta (2-3), Salzburg (5-1), and Brest (0-3). In domestic competitions, the team also suffered heavy defeats in the League and Supercopa Classics (0-4 and 2-5), but remains the leader of LaLiga with four and seven points ahead of Atlético and Barcelona, respectively.

The history of Real Madrid vs Manchester City in Champions

• Matches played: 12. Manchester City wins: 4. Real Madrid wins: 3. Draws: 5. Goals scored: MC: 21. RM: 18.

Last encounters:

1. April 17, 2024, return leg of the quarter-finals of 24/25 at the Etihad Stadium: Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (victory for 'merengue' on penalties 3-4).
2. April 9, 2024, first leg of the quarter-finals of 24/25 at the Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City.
3. May 17, 2023, return leg of the semi-finals of 23/24 at the Etihad Stadium: Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid. City advanced to the final with an aggregate score of 5-1.
4. May 9, 2023, first leg of the semi-finals of 23/24 at the Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City.
5. May 4, 2022, return leg of the semi-finals of 22/23 at the Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (victory for 'merengue' in extra time to advance to the final with an aggregate score of 6-5).
6. April 26, 2022, first leg of the semi-finals of 22/23 at the Etihad Stadium: Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid.
7. August 7, 2020, return leg of the round of 16 of 19/20 at the Etihad Stadium: Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid. City advanced to the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 4-2.
8. February 26, 2020, first leg of the round of 16 of 19/20 at the Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City. 
9. May 4, 2016, return leg of the semi-finals of 15/16 at the Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester City. Madrid advanced to the final with an aggregate score of 1-0.
10. April 26, 2016, first leg of the semi-finals of 15/16 at the Etihad Stadium: Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid.
11. November 21, 2012, matchday 5 of the group stage of 12/13 at the Etihad Stadium: Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid.
12. September 18, 2013, matchday 1 of the group stage of 12/13 at the Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid 3-2 Manchester City.