Manchester City host Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg this evening with the hopes of reaching the final four.
An electric first leg ended 3-3 in Madrid with the lead exchanging hands multiple times in an open affair. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring after two minutes before a quickfire double from Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo sent Real into the lead. City responded through Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol but Federico Valverde had the final say to ensure this last eight tie remains all square ahead of tonight’s game.
Pep Guardiola’s defending champions are in top form. They moved to the top of the Premier League at the weekend and will want to maintain their quest to win back-to-back trebles. Foden is expected to return to the starting line-up with John Stones and Kyle Walker also in contention for a place in the XI.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, meanwhile, will be aware of the hammering they received at the Etihad Stadium last year when City won 4-0. The manager will recall that experience to his players who will want to cause an upset tonight.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Real Madrid fans in fine voice
The travelling Spanish contingent are enjoying themselves ahead of kick-off:
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 18:40
Foden hoping to shine
The Englishman was rested at the weekend but will hopefully be back in the starting XI tonight. What’s for sure is that he’s enjoyed his time in the competition, scoring in each of his last five starts in the Champions League (five goals); the joint-longest run by a Manchester City player in the competition, along with Sergio Agüero (Feb 2018-March 2019).
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 18:30
Head-to-head
It’s tight between the two sides historically, with Man City winning four and Real Madrid three (four draws). What is guaranteed, though, is goals. Indeed, the last five meetings between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the Champions League have produced 23 goals, at an average of 4.6 per game.
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 18:20
Ancelotti – ‘We have to have the quality to create problems’
Real Madrid suffered a humiliating defeat last time the two sides met at the Etihad Stadium, but Carlo Ancelotti is convinced his side will banish their demons as they look to reach yet another Champions League semi-final.
“In the last three years we’ve faced City and they’ve been spectacular games, tomorrow will be the same,” he said. “We have to compete and believe, which is what we’re trying to do today. The tie is level and we survived 90 minutes and anything can happen. We have to have the quality to create problems.
“We’re planning to put on a complete performance. Attacking and defending well, not losing the ball unnecessarily, playing well on the counter, controlling transitions. It has to be a very complete performance and we’re not focusing on just one aspect, we have to focus on all of them.”
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 18:10
Why Premier League is now at risk of missing out on fifth Champions League spot
After a disappointing set of results last week, the Premier League’s hopes of gaining an extra Champions League spot in next season’s revamped competition have been dealt a blow.
The Champions League is being expanded to a 36-team tournament from 2024/25 and two of the extra four places will be awarded to countries whose teams perform best in this season’s European competitions.
As confirmed by Uefa on their website, England sits third in the race, behind Italy and Germany, which would mean Serie A and the Bundesliga get a fifth Champions League place next season.
The outcome of that tie could be decisive in the race between the Premier League and Bundesliga, as Arsenal could deny Germany if the Gunners knock out Bayern in Munich.
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 18:00
Why Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid ‘project’ — and what comes next
As Jude Bellingham sat behind the top table at the Etihad Stadium, to his right were three massive images, filling a wall. Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Erling Haaland, each holding a trophy from Manchester City’s treble. There is an alternative future in which a supersized picture of him would stare out, where he could find himself next to Rodri and De Bruyne on a wall and in a midfield.
City wanted him last year. They were not alone in that. Liverpool did too, before bowing out of the bidding. And yet, for one of the most coveted players on the planet, the decision was actually a simple one.
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 17:45
Elsewhere in Europe tonight
It’s not just a big night for one of England’s top teams, with Arsenal travelling to Germany as they look to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.
The Independent’s Miguel Delaney is in Munich for the big occasion:
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 17:30
Jude Bellingham issues warning to football authorities over tackling racism
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 17:15
The motivation inspiring Bernardo Silva and Man City to new heights
In the last three decades, since the European Cup evolved into the Champions League, only Real Madrid have retained the trophy. Until, perhaps, City this season. And since the English league was established in 1888, no team has won four successive titles. With six games to go, City are two points clear at the top of the table, their fate entirely in their own hands.
For all Silva’s eloquence in possession, he has rarely been as outspoken in his ambition. Repeat the treble and City could have a claim to be the greatest side ever; a title which many currently afford to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. Silva does not shy away from the idea. “It is obviously inspiration and motivation,” he said.
“We know how well this team has done and we want to create that legacy and to do another Premier League, to do six in seven years and four in a row, And we want to win the Champions League, to do two in a row. Only Madrid did three in a row but no one else won consecutive Champions League and if we win two trebles in a row that would be legacy.”
Ben Fleming17 April 2024 17:00
