Last updated on January 31, 2025
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Manchester City vs Real Madrid in the Champions League is truly a clash of the titans.
Image credit: UEFA Champions League
Manchester City and Real Madrid have developed one of the fiercest rivalries in modern Champions League history.
Since 2012, the two sides have met multiple times in Europe’s premier competition, with their clashes in the last few years delivering some of the most dramatic moments in the tournament’s history.
Recent Champions League Meetings (2020-2024)
1. 2019/20 Round of 16 – Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid (Agg.)
- First Leg (Bernabéu): Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
- Second Leg (Etihad): Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid
Key Moment: City’s pressing forced errors from Madrid’s defense, with Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne starring in both legs. This was the first time City eliminated Madrid in the UCL.
2. 2021/22 Semi-Finals – Real Madrid 6-5 Manchester City (Agg.)
- First Leg (Etihad): Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
- Second Leg (Bernabéu): Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (AET)
Key Moment: City were seconds away from reaching the final before Rodrygo scored twice in the 90th and 91st minutes to force extra time.
Karim Benzema then sealed Madrid’s comeback with a penalty, knocking out City in one of the most dramatic comebacks in UCL history.
3. 2022/23 Semi-Finals – Manchester City 5-1 Real Madrid (Agg.)
- First Leg (Bernabéu): Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City
- Second Leg (Etihad): Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid
Manchester City 4 – 0 Real Madrid. full match
— foland (fan) (@propsMCFC) January 31, 2025
pic.twitter.com/KESe3DkIMe
Key Moment: City delivered a masterclass in the second leg, with Bernardo Silva scoring twice. This emphatic victory sent Guardiola’s side to the final, where they eventually won their first-ever Champions League title.
4. 2023/24 Quarter-Finals – Real Madrid 4-4 Manchester City (Agg.) (Madrid won on penalties)
- First Leg (Bernabéu): Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City
- Second Leg (Etihad): Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (Real won 4-3 on penalties)
Key Moment: After another high-scoring first leg, City fought hard at home, but Madrid held on. The tie went to penalties, where Madrid edged City to exact revenge for the previous year.
The Tactical Battle Between Guardiola and Ancelotti
Each meeting has been a chess match between Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.
Guardiola’s possession-based approach has often given City the upper hand in certain games, but Madrid’s resilience and counter-attacking ability, particularly in clutch moments, have made them a nightmare opponent.
