Real Madrid-Manchester City, for the Champions League quarter-finals: times, how to see them live and lineups

Real Madrid-Manchester City. The king of the competition against the reigning champion. The insatiable hunger of the Merengue who is aiming for the fifteenth against an English team, executioner in two of the last three eliminations of Real Madrid, who wants to start a cycle of successes after touching the sky by fulfilling his great wish thanks to Pep Guardiola. A first chapter of the Champions League quarterfinals at the Santiago Bernabéu characterized by physicality. The duel between some of the best players in the world influenced by Real Madrid’s longest rest. A nod to the calendar much criticized in the past by Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola. The Copa del Rey final allowed Real Madrid to enjoy nine days since their last match. Manchester City played three matches in that period, which were also transcendent in their bid to retain the English Premiership crown.

The first time that the considered favorites for the title meet in a Champions League quarter-final that smells like an anticipated final. To break the tie in the playoffs. Two of each. With the unforgettable memory for Real Madrid fans of one of those comebacks that fuel the legend of its history. Inferior throughout the 2022 semi-final, but fighting until the end for a dream that Rodrygo realized with two goals in a minute as stoppage time began, with Karim Benzema finishing the feat in extra time.

That nightmare was as present for Manchester City as the latest blow suffered at the Etihad for Real Madrid. A devastating 4-0, punishment for the lack of “courage and personality”, as Ancelotti recalls, but also for a terrible approach from a coach who does not invent in the present. Because even the last scare is at hand, due to the speculation on the second leg of the round of 16 against Leipzig, the day that put an end to the impeccable streak studded with victories in the current edition of the Champions League.

Just one doubt to clarify about ‘Carletto’. The bet on Nacho Fernández or a replacement which could lead to another decision this time in the renewal. With more options for Aurélien Tchoauméni, who delays his position due to the loss of David Alaba and the short shot of Éder Militao, recently recovered after seven and a half months out with a knee injury. The same disorder that keeps Thibaut Courtois away from the appointment.

One of those matches in which the figure of the Belgian goalkeeper even became bigger than his 2 meters in height. First big European night for Andriy Lunin in his seventh match in ‘Champions’. The great challenge it represents to stop Erling Haaland, more irregular this season in scoring but still top scorer in the Champions League and Premier League. Antonio Rüdiger will take care of the marking, with all his tricks as an expert defender.

From midfield forward there is no room for surprises. With Eduardo Camavinga on the pitch as a central midfielder if Tchouaméni delays his position. The untouchables Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde. Vinícius’ return after 24 days without competing against Real Madrid, with the desire to be a protagonist in one of the duels of the year. Rodrygo’s renewed confidence after breaking his second goal drought of the season. And a new guest at the party: Jude Bellingham.

English is the differentiating factor compared to the last round. His presence changes the Madrid team from playing with Benzema as an offensive reference to doing so without a pure center forward. With Bellingham attacking space and freedom of movement for ‘Vini’ and Rodrygo. A new way of attacking which, added to the greater physical wear and tear, could invite Guardiola to protect himself. A game made of high turns perfect for Jude to bury the grayer version of him, with less meaning in goal after having impressed everyone with a record start.

Of all the Manchester City teams that Pep Guardiola has shaped since 2016, this is not the most fearsome, but it is still a team that, since 8 April, has been in the running for the treble and, in fact, is certainly the favorite in the three competitions in which he remains alive: Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

The ‘Sky Blues’ are co-leaders in the Premier League with Arsenal, are in the semi-final of the FA Cup against Chelsea and their best version was in the ‘Champions’, where they scored three goals in all matches. Just as in Europe they have become accustomed to scoring three at a time, it has also been common in Europe to see them adapt and this is where their great duty emerges. He suffers a lot in defense. Of the eight matches in the tournament, against rivals such as Red Star, Young Boys, RB Leipzig and Copenhagen, they only kept a clean sheet on one occasion.

This city has a lot of problems in quick transitions, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have recently punished, and the possible loss of Kyle Walker is partly responsible for this. The Englishman doesn’t seem to be there, at least according to the City doctors, who told Guardiola that he won’t arrive in time. Another story is that the Spanish coach plays distractedly, but the truth is that the Englishman has missed the last three matches due to a muscle injury sustained during the international break.

Without Walker, City have no replacement and these days his place has been taken by Rico Lewis, who has acted more as an additional midfielder than a right-back. By pitting the young Lewis against Vinícius, Guardiola would be playing Russian roulette amplified by the absence of Nathan Aké on the left and the possible arrival of Josko Gvardiol, another expert in Real Madrid’s rapid attacks. Rúben Dias and John Stones are two other players who suffer from speed, so Guardiola could opt for Manuel Akanji to remedy this.

If City remains in the fight for everything despite these problems, it is because their attacking arsenal largely covers the defensive problem. Added to Erling Haaland’s 30 goals this season are Kevin de Bruyne’s performance at Selhurst Park this weekend and Rodrigo Hernández’s step forward as a goalscorer, with eight goals this season.

With Jack Grealish back for the cause, Bernardo Silva, always ready against Real Madrid, Julián Álvarez, happy as a starter or as a substitute, and Phil Foden, in the best season of his career with more than 30 goals, this City team continues to be formidable, despite all its problems.

Probable lineups

Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Kroos, Fede Valverde, Bellingham; Vinicius, Rodrygo.

Manchester City: Ederson; Lewis, Rúben Dias, Stones, Akanji; Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne; Foden, Grealish, Haaland.

Referee: François Letexier (France).

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Time: 9pm CET (4pm Argentine time).