Real Madrid host Manchester City at the Bernabeu tonight in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie.
Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane meet for the first time competitively as managers and both know what it takes to become European champions. City have never beaten Madrid, but the pressure is on Guardiola to deliver in a competition he hasn’t won since 2011.
Eden Hazard is out after fracturing an ankle in the shock Liga defeat by Levante last weekend, while City welcome back Raheem Sterling to the fold following a hamstring injury. Follow all the latest live:
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- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:29
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:29
Pep Guardiola quizzed on Raheem Sterling leaving for Real Madrid
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:23
Pep Guardiola gives his thoughts on Man City’s opposition tonight, he said:
“This is the real test. The kings of this competition against one team who aren’t used to playing these kind of games much, as our best performance was one semi-final,
“We have to show our personality. I know my players, myself, all the club want to fight until the end for this title.
“But if you want to do that [win the title] you have to face these teams sooner or later. You have to beat Madrid, you have to beat Barcelona, you have to beat Bayern Munich. You have to beat the big, big teams.
“If we’re able to do it we’ll be so happy. If not then next season… well, next season I don’t know but when we are able to play we are going to come back.”
The kings of the competition? Quite possibly.
Real Madird have won a record 11 European Cups, including four in the past six years.
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:19
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:15
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:12
Manchester City appeal against two-year Champions League ban confirmed
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:19
Pep Guardiola names an interesting team to face them with Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Raheem Sterling all on the bench.
Gabriel Jesus replaces Aguero up front with Nicolas Otamendi coming in for David Silva.
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:04
“I don’t know if he will need an operation, it’s not my area. I can see he’s not happy.
“It’s important he stays positive but of course it’s difficult. It’s a bad moment, it won’t be easy and he will feel like this for a while.”
Hazard, 29, joined Real from Chelsea over the summer for an initial deal worth £89m. He scored one goal in 15 games for the Spanish giants and fractured his ankle in the 1-0 loss to Levante on Saturday.
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 19:01
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 18:54
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 18:49
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 18:49
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 18:45
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 18:45
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 18:42
- Michael Jones
- 26 February 2020 18:39
Pep and Zidane and the game within a game
- Lawrence Ostlere
- 26 February 2020 16:32
PREVIEW
How can I watch on TV?
The game will be shown live on TV in the UK, and can be watched on BT Sport 2 – coverage starts at 7pm.
Can I stream it online?
Yes, BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and BT Sport app.
Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrid; Isco, Bale, Benzema. (4-3-3).
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; B.Silva, Sterling, Aguero. (4-3-3).
Team news
Raheem Sterling is expected to be available for selection, while Leroy Sane, who damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in City’s Community Shield win over Liverpool is unlikely to be risked.
Belgian star Eden Hazard will be unavailable after fracturing his ankle for the second time in Madrid career at the weekend. Marco Asensio is still recovering from a serious knee injury which he suffered during pre-season, whilst Gareth Bale is likely to feature after missing the Levante game through illness.
What time is Real Madrid v Manchester City?
The match kicks off at 8pm GMT at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Prediction?
Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City. Guardiola has the nous and the firepower at his disposal to pull off a big result.
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