Man City vs. Real Madrid takes center stage in Champions League draw

It was only a matter of time. The UEFA Champions League (UCL) Round of 32 draw—or the playoffs before the Round of 16—has delivered the first major showdown of the tournament. Real Madrid and Manchester City will go head-to-head in a two-legged clash, with the first leg at the Etihad Stadium in England and the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The last two Champions League champions will meet again for the fourth consecutive time. In the 2021/2022 season, Real Madrid qualified for the final after eliminating Man City on aggregate 6-5 in the semifinals. In that edition, the Spanish team won its fourteenth Orejona.

In the following edition, it was Man City who emerged victorious after leaving the merengues also in the semifinals (5-1). The English won, that season, the only Champions League they have in their trophy cabinet.

The last edition, season 2023/2024, Real Madrid defeated Man City on penalties in the quarterfinals and the team led by Carlo Ancelotti won the 'Decimoquinta' (15th UEFA Champions League title).

The match between Real Madrid and Man City has become one of the great modern classics of the Champions League and, therefore, of European soccer.