For the fourth season in a row, Man City have been drawn with Real Madrid.
Image credit: ESPN FC
The UEFA Champions League play-off draw has handed Manchester City a high-profile tie against 15-time European champions Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola’s side, fresh off a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, must overcome their familiar rivals in a two-legged showdown to reach the Round of 16.
The Champions League Play-off draw in full.
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A Familiar Rivalry Renewed
This marks the fifth knockout meeting between City and Madrid in the last six seasons.
Last year, Madrid eliminated City on penalties at the Etihad in the quarter-finals. However, in 2023, City triumphed over Los Blancos in the semi-finals on their way to winning their first Champions League title.
The first leg will be played at the Etihad Stadium on February 11 or 12, with the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu a week later.
The winner will advance to face either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the next round.
Other Play-Off Fixtures
The Champions League play-offs feature several intriguing matchups, including:
- Club Brugge vs. Atalanta
- Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven
- Feyenoord vs. AC Milan
- Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain
- Monaco vs. Benfica
The play-off winners will join the top-eight finishers from the league phase in the Round of 16.
Key Champions League Knockout Dates
- Play-Offs: February 11-12 (First leg), February 18-19 (Second leg)
- Last 16 Draw: February 21
- Round of 16 Matches: March 4-5, March 11-12
- Quarter-Finals: April 8-9, April 15-16
- Semi-Finals: April 29-30, May 6-7
- Final: May 31 at Allianz Arena, Munich
The road to the final is set, and Europe’s elite clubs will battle for the ultimate prize.
Will Manchester City defend their crown, or will Real Madrid continue their dominance?
The Champions League drama is just beginning.