Champions League showdown: Man. City, Real Madrid in do-or-die playoff battle
City and Madrid in epic showdown
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The stage is set for an electrifying Champions League playoff as Manchester City and Real Madrid prepare for a blockbuster clash with everything on the line.
One of Europe’s biggest heavyweights will suffer a shocking early exit, while the other will march on to the Round of 16.
This encounter is dripping with history. Madrid crushed City’s dreams in last season’s quarter-finals, edging them out on penalties after a pulsating 4-4 aggregate draw—before going on to lift the trophy.
But City inflicted their own humiliation in the 2022/23 semi-finals, demolishing Madrid 5-1 over two legs.
With 12 Champions League meetings between them, City hold a slight edge with four wins to Madrid’s three, while five clashes have ended in deadlock.
- Onyedika’s stunner in vain as Man. City Crush Club Brugge to reach knockouts
- Do or die! Man. City fight for UCL survival against Club Brugge
- Mbappe’s magical hat-trick propels Real Madrid to victory over Valladolid
However, with no room for a draw this time, one of these footballing giants must fall.
Beyond this titanic showdown, the playoff draw has delivered more thrilling encounters.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain take on Brest, while Juventus lock horns with PSV in another mouth-watering tie.
Elsewhere, Club Brugge face Atalanta, AS Monaco battle Benfica, Sporting clash with Borussia Dortmund, Celtic test their mettle against Bayern Munich, and Feyenoord take on AC Milan.
Full Draw:
