Man City Manchester City

Real Madrid Real Madrid

team  news

line-ups

CITY: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Rodrigo, Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Cherki, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Trafford, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Guéhi, Savinho, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Foden, Lewis

REAL MADRID:  Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia, Valverde (C), Thiago, Tchouameni, Guler, Brahim, Vinicius

Subs: Lunin, Carvajal, Alaba, Camavinga, Mbappe, Gonzalo, Carreras, Mastantuono, Aguado, Cestero, Angel, Palacios

WHEN AND WHERE

Pep Guardiola’s side host Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 17 March, with the game scheduled for kick-off at 20:00 (UK).

The match will be shown live in the UK on Prime Video. You can also keep across all of the action via mancity.com and our official app, as well as the key moments on X/Twitter: @ManCity.

Supporters living around the world can find out how they can tune in via our global TV listings below, courtesy of liversoccertv.com.

Next Fixture

All fixtures

Tue 17 Mar

Champions League

Man City

20:00

GMT

Real Madrid

Opposing manager - Álvaro Arbeloa

The former Spanish right-back started his playing career with Real Madrid before moving Deportivo, then joining Liverpool after half a season.

In 2009, he returned to Real Madrid where he spent seven seasons there and won eight major titles.

There was a brief spell at West Ham as he returned to the Premier League, signing with the Hammers for one season.

Arbeloa also earnt 56 caps for his national side representing them at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 - winning all three tournaments.

The Spaniard’s career went full circle as he returned to Real Madrid once again in September 2020, being appointed manager of the under-14 side. Two years later, he progressed to the Juvenil A.

He was later promoted to the first team on 12 January 2026, following Xabi Alonso’s departure.

Pep Guardiola preview

“It’s a football game and many things can happen. This sport has taught us that a lot of things can happen in a football game,” Pep pointed out.

“We have to focus and try to firstly win the game and then after see what happens.

“Most of them are new in this experience and we are not the same group that many years.

“But at the same time, it’s an incredible experience and opportunity to try.

“I am not concerned about creating chances, I am pretty sure we are able to do it. It’s about how we are going to defend.

“The task is massive to score three goals against Madrid isn’t easy and the result in the first leg isn’t a perfect one.

“But at the same time, we are here and at the Etihad always we can create as much momentum as possible with our people and do a good game for the talented players we have and defend well.

“It’s about the players being in their perfect positions.

“We will arrive to try to score and defend the positions better. The perfect game in many senses, for 93 minutes and we will just try and try, don’t give up.

“We can create for sure millions of chances, we know that. If we are able to be clinical and especially defend well, always we will be in the game.”

DANGER MEN

Brahim Diaz played in a more advanced role as we faced Real at the Bernabeu and allowed a lot of attacking threats to happen due to his off the ball work. He also assisted Federico Valverde and was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Vinicius Junior set up the second goal in the first leg clash and brings pace and unpredictability as well as bringing a new dimension to play. By hugging the touchline and stretching the defensive line he helps to create space for his teammates. He also offers a level of versatility and prove a real danger on the counter attack.

Following his first leg hat-trick, there’s no doubt that the City players will be keeping a close eye on Valverde.

Previous meeting

We suffered a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of our Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Pep Guardiola’s side were left stunned by a first half hat-trick from Federico Valverde who scored his first goals in Europe this season.

The home side had a huge opportunity to extend their lead from the penalty spot in the second half but Gianluigi Donnarumma kept out Vinicius Junior’s effort.

Nico O’Reilly almost pulled a goal back late on but was denied by Thibaut Courtois’ instinctive save from close range to leave City to fight back when we meet in the second leg at the Etihad on Tuesday, 17 March.  

Last time out

City fell further behind league leaders Arsenal, as we played out a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

The Blues looked to be on our way to three points when Bernardo opened the scoring just past the half-hour.

But the Hammers levelled shortly after and then defended resolutely throughout the second-half to hold on and claim a valuable point in their battle against relegation.

With Arsenal leaving it late to beat Everton earlier in the day, it leaves City nine points adrift with a game in hand over the Gunners.

Global TV listings

Supporters around the world can find out how to tune in to watch the match live by clicking here, courtesy of livesoccertv.com.

Listings correct as of Tuesday 17 March.