In one of the most anticipated Champions League quarter-finals in many years, last year’s treble winners Manchester City will take on a youthful but supremely talented Real Madrid side.
There’s plenty of hype around the fixture – deservedly so – but will it live up to the billing?
We take a deep dive into the fixture, analyse the squads, explain how you can watch Manchester City vs Real Madrid on TV, and more below.
Where to see First Leg – Venue, Date, and Key Details
The first leg takes place at the Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday, 9th April, from 21:00 CEST and will be broadcast on the following national networks.
UK: TNT Sports
USA: CBS
Spain: Movistar Plus+
ROW: BeIN Sports.
It is an opportunity for a team to establish dominance in the tie – especially since UEFA did away with the away goal rule.
Last season, the three teams that won the first leg each qualified for the semi-finals.
Second Leg – Venue, Date, and Key Details
The reverse fixture of the tie will be played at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, 17th April, from 21:00 CEST.
These tend to be among the most dramatic affairs, with teams desperate to seal qualification for the next stage. Last season, there were 12 goals across the second-leg ties, which included three score draws.
Head-to-Head History and Previous Encounters
This year’s quarter-final is a rematch of last year’s semi-final, which saw the Citizens come out on top 5-1 on aggregate, mainly thanks to their 4-0 thrashing of the Spanish giants at the Etihad in the second leg. Two goals from Barnardo Silva, a strike for Manuel Akanji, and a cake-icer from Julian Alvarez in injury time sealed an emphatic win for Pep Guardiola’s charges.
In the previous five matches between the two, Manchester City have won three, drawn one, and lost one. Across those five games (including extra time), there were 20 goals – that’s a mammoth four goals per game on average.
Will it be another goal fest?
Tactical Analysis and Key Matchups
This one will be a battle of youthful exuberance vs proven winning experience.
There is a new generation coming to the fore at Real Madrid – the nucleus of their front six (Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde) has an average age of 22.6. Only Toni Kroos, at the fruitful age of 34, has any Champions League experience that lasts longer than a few seasons.
This is an exceptionally talented group, though, that combines the athleticism and dynamism of Vinicius and Valverde with the technical prowess of Bellingham and Camavinga to form a potent and exciting attacking force.
Manchester City has some bona fide superstars who have proven themselves on the biggest stage. Erling Haaland already has 41 Champions League goals despite only making 37 appearances in the competition. Kevin De Bruyne was the assist king in Europe last season, providing seven in his 10 appearances.
John Stones, Rodri, and De Bruyne form a formidable spine through the side, and it will be fascinating to see how the match unfolds.
Player Form and Impact
As we mentioned above, Haaland has proven to be the missing piece of the puzzle for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in the Champions League. He has provided the Citizens with a focal point in attack, while his finishing ability is striking fear into every opposition and his hold-up play allows the team to occupy higher areas of the pitch.
For Real Madrid, all eyes will be on English superstar Jude Bellingham, who has been a revolution in Spain since making the move last summer. He has 16 goals and four assists in 23 appearances for his new side, and might have the ingenuity required to find a way through the imposing Manchester City backline.
Predictions and Expectations
Given their experience in the competition and recent form, Manchester City are the favourites to progress with most bookmakers, and we share that view.
Despite boasting a team of dynastical proportions, Real Madrid might lack the experience and know-how to get past a team with all the tools.
We are predicting a narrow aggregate victory for the Citizens.
Socios.com Partnership and Fan Engagement
Socios.com, a blockchain-based fan engagement platform, has recently become an official partner of the English Premier League club, Manchester City. This partnership aims to bring fans closer to their beloved team and enhance their overall experience through digital initiatives.
Through Socios.com, Manchester City fans can actively participate in various activities and show their support for the club. The platform offers a range of opportunities, such as voting on team-related decisions, earning rewards, and exclusive access to digital content.
One of the most exciting features of Socios.com is the ability for fans to vote on certain club decisions through Fan Tokens. These tokens serve as virtual shares in the team, giving fans a say in jersey designs, stadium experiences, and even player transfers.
