Real Madrid vs Man City: What managers said and predicted lineups
By Joel Masibo, March 11, 2026The UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie between Real Madrid and Manchester City on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, promises fireworks as a quarter-final ticket is up for grabs.
Wednesday’s encounter will be the fifth consecutive season in which these clubs will meet in the knockout phase, with the victorious party going on to win the Champions League in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Back to that league phase meeting: a 2-1 Man City triumph at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in which Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland overturned the opener from Rodrygo. Álvaro Arbeloa has replaced Xabi Alonso in the Real Madrid dugout, so there are new tactical nuances for Pep Guardiola’s charges to contend with. They may not be faced with top scorer Kylian Mbappé, however, as the Real Madrid forward recovers from a sprain to his left knee.
What managers said
“I expect a tough match, one with great players and a great coach. We’re going for the win and we’re very motivated. We’re really excited to play. We must never feel inferior to anyone. We know how good Manchester City are, their coach, their players, but we’ll look them straight in the eyes. It will be a great experience,” Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid coach, said.
“You have to face the opponent with incredible respect, but look into their eyes and say, ‘OK, this is who we are as a team’. And then you have to do it. Maybe you are lucky and go through. Emotions come when you play bad or your opponents play better. It is not the first time we are here; we have come many times and a lot of players know [the stadium]. For sure, good things cannot happen if you are not yourselves,” Pep Guardiola, Man City coach, said.
Possible line-ups
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Raúl Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Camavinga; Gonzalo, Vinícius Júnior
Man City: Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Guéhi, O’Reilly: Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Cherki, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland