Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Two highly decorated managers go head to head

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Manchester City, Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League

A tantalizing tie is in store as European heavyweights Manchester City and Real Madrid prepare to do battle for a coveted spot in the 2022 Champions League finals.

Preview: Manchester City vs Real Madrid

The Premier League leaders versus the nearly La Liga champions will prepare to do battle in a titanic tussle as Manchester City and Real Madrid square off in the first leg of their Champions League semi-finals clash on Tuesday evening. It has all the hallmarks of a blockbuster affair, with the past six meetings being evenly split down the middle (two wins for each) while their respective managers, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti are among the most decorated in the game, having won this competition both as players and as managers.

Both teams come into this contest in good form. The hosts may be out of the running for a treble after Liverpool edged them out in the FA Cup semi-finals, but are still on course to win the league title, and most significant, what could be their first ever Champions League trophy. City warmed up for this clash by cruising to a 5-1 win over Watford over the weekend, during which Gabriel Jesus scored a poker and will be feeling confident ahead of the arrival of the all-time Champions League winners on Tuesday evening.

City had to survive a nasty battle with Real Madrid's cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid, who appeared more determined to engage in brawling than playing actual football. Only one goal was scored over the two legs, but fans will be hoping to see a more entertaining battle when Los Blancos come to town - if their recent clash against Chelsea is any precedent.

Karim Benzema's brilliant showing handed Chelsea, who were hoping to successfully defend their title, a 3-1 loss at Stamford Bridge, with Kai Havertz, the player whose goal won the Champions League against City last year, scoring the Blues' only goal. In Madrid, Chelsea appeared to have staged what would have been a fantastic comeback, only to have their hopes dashed thanks to a masterclass performance from Ancelotti's men, with Benzema popping up in extra time to head home the winning goal.

As such, the 13-time Champions League winners will now take on another English giant, and will be hoping to make history in the progress. To date, no team has ever beaten two English teams away from home in the same competition, and given that City are unbeaten at the Etihad in this competition since a surprise 2-1 loss to Lyon back in September 2018.

Like their upcoming hosts, Los Blancos warmed up for this tie with a win over the weekend, battling to a 3-1 win over Osasuna to ensure they now boast a 15 point gap over the chasing pack. Given that there's only a handful of games winning, it's pretty safe to say that Real Madrid now have the La Liga title in the bag, and can be fully focused on winning what would be their 14th Champions League title.

Of course, City, having experienced frustration in this tournament over the years, including their 1-0 loss in last season's final to Chelsea, will be very determined to make this their year. Will Real Madrid come to the Etihad and snatch a win? Or will the Cityzens head to Madrid next week with a vital win in hand?

Team news: Manchester City vs Real Madrid

Manchester City: Both Kyle Walker and John Stones are doubts, with Walker having sustained a nasty ankle injury during City's match against Atletico Madrid earlier this month. Meanwhile, Joao Cancelo is suspended, while both Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake aren't 100 percent fit, but still featured at the weekend against Watford.

Real Madrid: Casemiro, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy are all doubts due to varying injuries, but have been included in the group that traveled to Manchester. Meanwhile, Eden Hazard, Mariano, and Luka Jovic are still out injured, but it's highly unlikely that either Mariano or Jovic would have played even if they were fit.

Match facts: Manchester City vs Real Madrid

Guardiola and Ancelotti are two of seven people to have won the Champions League both as players and as managers
Ancelotti has won titles in all five of Europe's "Big Five" leagues - England, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany, while Guardiola has won silverware in England, Germany, and Spain
Interestingly, both managers have also coached Bayern Munich, with Guardiola coaching die Roten from July 2013 to June 2016, followed by Ancelotti from July 2016 to September 2017
This will be the seventh meeting between Man City and Real Madrid
So far, each side have won two of their last six meetings, making this tie split evenly down the middle
Real Madrid haven't won any of their previous three trips to face Manchester City in European competition (D2 L1)
Los Blancos are hoping to become the first side to beat two English teams away from home in the knockout rounds following their 3-1 win against Chelsea earlier this month