The Champions League play-offs have reached their halfway point and Manchester City now have a better understanding of which team they will face.
Manchester City are already safe and sound with a place in the Champions League last 16 after scraping an eighth place finish in the league phase of the competition.
There have already been some notable high points from the European campaign, including a victory at the Bernabeu and a 4-1 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund.
However, shocks have also occurred, with Pep Guardiola’s team suffering defeats against Bayer Leverkusen and Bodo/Glimt.
It remains unseen how Man City will perform in the round of 16, but they now have a better understanding of which team they are likely to face.
Manchester City could have a rematch against Bodo/Glimt
City have four potential opponents in the next round of the Champions League and these are Benfica, Real Madrid, Bodo/Glimt and Inter Milan.
Based on the results of the first legs, a re-match against Bodo/Glimt is a real opportunity, as the Norweigen team recorded an impressive 3-1 victory over Inter.
Man City might not be too keen on having to play Bodo, considering the surprise package defeat them by the same scoreline in the league phase.
Kjetil Knutsen’s men also defeated Atletico Madrid with a triumph away from home and they held Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-2 draw.
Real Madrid are Manchester City’s alternative option
Unless Benfica launch a surprising comeback, Real Madrid are the other team Man City could face in the next round and this would not be a favourable draw either.
The Citizens did actually get the better of the 15-time winners when they clashed in December, but they have since parted ways with Xabi Alonso and look a much stronger side.
If there is one team who know how to get results in Europe, it is Real Madrid, so City must be ready for whatever comes their way. Ultimately, this is the highest level of European football and beating the best teams in the competition is not just an aspiration, it is a requirement.
