UEFA Champions League 2023-24: Real Madrid (RMA) vs Manchester City (MCI) quarter-finals 1st leg Match Preview

Real Madrid and Manchester City will face each other in an all-important clash in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals 1st leg. Both teams have been in great form this season, but City's form has gone down as they are currently placed third in the English Premier League (EPL) table. Pep Guardiola's side emerged victorious when these two teams met in last season's semi-final. The Sky Blues defeated them 5-1 in aggregate. 

Pep Guardiola's side will look to repeat something similar they did last year on Wednesday. The Spanish coach was disgusted with the fixtures as they had to play three games within a week. There will be a special moment for Carlo Ancelotti as the Madrid head coach will be standing at the 200th Champions League game as a coach, the Italian manager has been a sensation over the years. The Los Blancos will make it special for him by winning the 1st leg of the crucial match. 

City will be relieved that their star striker Erling Haaland who was out of goals for the last three games, was back scoring in their 4-2 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Haaland was the star for the side in the last season and helped them win the UCL last season. However, the striker had some rough patches but he would like to score against Madrid and silence Santiago Bernabeu. 

Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Prediction

Madrid since the addition of Jude Bellingham in their side has been exceptional. The English midfielders have led the side to win some clutch goals towards the dying minutes of the game. Bellingham has been the highest goal scorer for the side so far with 16 goals in La Liga. His form has been eye-catching for the Spanish fans. 

Haaland has struggled in the ongoing season. But the striker's ability to score goals has never been in doubt. He can be the player on Wednesday for the Sky Blues who can trouble the defenders of Madrid. Kevin de Bruyne will look to score again in Bernabeu as he did it last season. The matchup will be good with both teams who would like to control the midfield. 

Prediction: 2-2 Draw

Injury and Suspension Concern 

Real Madrid 

David Alaba, Thibaut Courtois

Bellingham, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Vinícius Júnior (Misses 2nd leg if booked)

Manchester City 

Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker 

Ruben Dias (Misses 2nd leg if booked)

Probable Playing XI  

Real Madrid

Andriy Lunin, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho, Ferland Mendy, Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior.

Manchester City 

Ederson, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland.