Real Madrid and Manchester City are set to clash this Wednesday in a highly anticipated match for the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 group stage. This game features more than just three points, taking place at Santiago Bernabéu.
The spotlight will be on Pep Guardiola as he faces Real Madrid once again. His long-standing rivalry with the club, stemming from his time managing FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and currently Manchester City, adds layers of intrigue. Over their 27 encounters, Guardiola has a favorable record with 13 wins, six draws, and eight losses against the Spanish giants. However, since leaving Barcelona, his performance against Madrid has not been as strong, recording only four victories, two draws, and six defeats in that span.
On the other side, the attention may also shift to the opposing bench where Xabi Alonso is experiencing his toughest time since taking charge of Real Madrid. Following a disappointing loss to Celta Vigo, the team finds itself four points behind their fierce rivals and LaLiga leaders. This defeat highlighted issues with player discipline, as three players were sent off, further complicating Alonso’s position as coach.
Compounding Alonso’s difficulties, star player Kylian Mbappé is uncertain for the match due to muscle discomfort that hindered his training. The injury list for Real Madrid is extensive, with Mbappé joined by Éder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, Eduardo Camavinga, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
This matchup is critical for both teams since they have already dropped points in the group and a loss could jeopardize their direct path to the knockout stage. Both clubs are familiar with the stakes; last season they struggled to reach the top eight and had to face each other in a playoff for qualification, where Madrid emerged victorious.
For Manchester City, recent challenges include an unexpected home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, which has left them needing to earn points away from home. However, victory at the Bernabéu could elevate them above Real Madrid in the standings, aiding their quest for qualification, particularly with manageable upcoming matches against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray.
In contrast, Real Madrid faces a more precarious situation. A loss to City could push them out of the top eight, complicating their future in the tournament, especially with a demanding match against Monaco and the last fixture against Benfica still left to play. The points at stake on Wednesday are invaluable for both the troubled Alonso and the entire Real Madrid team.
Potential lineups for the match include:
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois; Fede Valverde, Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, Álvaro Carreras; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham; Vinícius Jr. and either Kylian Mbappé or Gonzalo García.
Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly; Nico González, Bernardo Silva, Tijani Reijnders; Phil Foden, Jéremy Doku, and Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off at various times depending on location: 3 p.m. in Miami and Bogotá, 2 p.m. in Mexico City, 5 p.m. in Buenos Aires, and 9 p.m. in Madrid.
Fans can catch the game across different networks: in the U.S. on Paramount+ and DAZN, in Mexico on FOX Sports, in Argentina on FOX Sports and Disney+, in Colombia on ESPN and Disney+, and in Spain on M+ Movistar Liga de Campeones, Movistar+, Orange Fútbol, and LaLiga TV Bar.
With so much at stake, both teams are under pressure to deliver exceptional performances as they strive for a coveted spot in the knockout rounds of the Champions League. The anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling contest.