Real Madrid-Manchester City: huge game at Bernabéu to kick off Champions League quarter-finals

The quarter-finals of the Champions League are about to get underway with a clash between two giants of European football. Real Madrid and Manchester City go head-to-head this evening at the Santiago Bernabéu in the first of two games to battle it out for a place in the semi-finals (9pm CEST). The last two champions of the competition meet for the third consecutive season and the madridistas will be aiming to gain an advantage in the tie in front of their fans.

It will be a very closely contested clash of the highest degree of difficulty. But the chemistry between Ancelotti's side and the Bernabéu on this type of European night will be essential once again to try and strike the first blow in the knockout stages. Madrid are unbeaten at home this season and in the Champions League have only drawn one game against Leipzig, winning all the other games. The Whites' home record against Manchester City is impressive, with three wins and just one defeat in five meetings.

Watch all the videos from this match on RM Play
“We're going to give our best in all areas,” said Carlo Ancelotti at the press conference ahead of the clash. The coach has all his players available except for the injured Courtois and Alaba. The Italian’s squad includes Vini Jr. and Bellingham. The Brazilian has scored six goals in his last four appearances, while the Englishman is the team's top scorer (20).

Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's side reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League after finishing top of Group G, ahead of Leipzig, Young Boys and Crvena zvezda, and knocking out Copenhagen in the last 16. The reigning European champions have won all their games in this edition and are the top scorers with 24 goals. Haaland (6), Julian Alvarez (5) and Foden (4) top their scoring list.