Manchester City have just learned they will face either Real Madrid or Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League round of 16, after the La Liga team’s victory over Benfica.
Real Madrid headed into their Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica with a one-goal advantage, but this was cancelled out after just 14 minutes by Rafa Silva.
However, Aurelien Tchouameni struck back only two minutes to restore Real Madrid’s lead on aggregate, before the hosts had the ball in the net again through Arda Gula.
This goal was ruled out after VAR deemed an offside offence to have taken place, but Madrid remained strong enough at the back and after 80 minutes Vinicius Junior got his goal.
The match finished 2-1 to Real Madrid, which means there is a 50 per chance Manchester City will draw them in the next round of the competition.
Manchester City have already beaten Real Madrid
Man City got the better of Real Madrid in the league phase, claiming a 2–1 win at the Bernabeu. Since then, the Spanish side have sacked Xabi Alonso, but they are still trailing Barcelona in La Liga.
Madrid may have done enough to get themselves into the last 16, but their performance left plenty of room for improvement.
Of Bodo/Glimt and Real Madrid, it looks like a tie against the 15-time winners could actually be more favourable.
Man City have a long history of playing Real Madrid in the Champions League
Since Manchester City began regularly qualifying for the Champions League, they have come up against Real Madrid a number of times.
Los Blancos knocked out City in 2012/13 and in the semi-finals three years later, but Pep Guardiola led his team to victory in the last 16 stage of the 2019/20 season.
Real Madrid have continued to win the ties between the teams more often than not, which includes the 2021/22 and 2023/24 campaigns, as well as last season. However, City did come out on top in 2022/23, famously winning the second leg 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
If Man City do draw Real Madrid in the last 16, it is bound to be another intriguing contest which could either way.
