We have been drawn against the Spanish giants in the quarter-final of this year’s competition after two successive semi-final clashes.
Last year saw us overcome Carlo Ancelotti’s men with a phenomenal 4-0 home victory following a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.
The season before ended dramatically with Real scoring twice late on to force the game to extra time, where they sealed the win.
REAL MADRID V CITY | OFFICIAL TRAVEL PACKAGE
Ahead of this year’s match up, we get more familiar with Los Blancos.
History
Real Madrid are comfortably the most successful side in European Cup history having lifted the famous competition 14 times.
That is twice more than second best AC Milan, who have been successful on seven occasions.
They have also won more La Liga titles than anyone else, lifting their national championship 35 times since their first in 1931/32.
They were initially founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club before ‘Real’ meaning ‘Royal’ was bestowed to them by King Alfonso XIII in 1920 together with the royal crown in the emblem.
Stadium
The Santiago Bernabeu is widely regarded as one of the leading sports stadiums in the world.
Named after a former player and president, the Bernabeu was completed in 1947.
It currently holds more than 80,000 supporters and as well as being Real Madrid’s home ground since opening, has hosted four European Cup finals, a Copa Libertadores final plus the 1964 European Nations Cup and 1982 World Cup finals.
The stadium has been undergoing renovation works since 2019 which are radically changing its exterior.
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti is one of the greatest managers the game has seen.
The Italian is the only manager to have won the Champions League four times, having done so twice with AC Milan and twice with Real Madrid.
Ancelotti has won five league titles during his coaching career - one in each of the big five leagues - which is as many as Guardiola has managed with City.
The 64-year-old began managing in 1995 and has since led 10 clubs including several of the biggest names in European football.
Key players
Real Madrid have internationals across the pitch although they are currently missing several key members of their defence.
Undisputed first choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered a serious ligament injury to his knee in August and is yet to return.
Meanwhile, central defenders David Alaba and Eder Militao are also currently not involved.
In midfield, Luka Modric is one of only four players to have won the Ballon d’Or since 2007 but at 38, is finding his playing time limited this season.
Much of that has been down to the form of English man Jude Bellingham who has 16 goals since last summer’s move from Borussia Dortmund.
Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior was the player who scored for Real in last season’s tie.
Previous meetings with City
City and Real Madrid have met 10 times in the Champions League.
We have the slight advantage with four wins, three draws and three defeats.
We first came up against each other in the 2012/13 group stage, when we lost 3-2 in Spain before a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.
In the 2015/16 semi-finals, it was 0-0 at home before Real found a winner away.
We then won 2-1 in both legs of the 2019/20 Round of 16.
The epic 2021/22 battle began with a 4-3 win at home before Real won 3-1 at the Bernabeu after extra time.
Our final pair of encounters came with the unforgettable triumph last season. We drew 1-1 in Madrid before a magical 4-0 win at the Etihad.
Recent form
Real Madrid are top of La Liga with 69 points from 28 games, seven ahead of nearest challengers Girona.
With 60 goals scored and only 18 conceded, they have the best attack and defence in Spain so far this season.
In their last five league games, they have won three and drawn twice.
Ancelotti’s side were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by local rivals and fellow Champions League quarter-finalists in January.
They have already lifted the Supercopa de Espana, beating Barcelona 4-1.
