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Real Madrid hosts Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on December 10, 2025, in a pivotal UEFA Champions League league phase encounter. The match kicks off at 8:00 PM GMT. Both teams chase crucial points to secure top-eight finishes and automatic qualification for the knockout rounds. Real Madrid sits in ninth place with 10 points from five games, while Manchester City occupies 12th with nine points.
The hosts enter the clash after a mixed run. Carlo Ancelotti’s side claims four wins from five UCL matches, scoring 12 goals but conceding seven. Their sole defeat came at Anfield against Liverpool. Domestically, Real leads La Liga, buoyed by Kylian Mbappe’s 14 goals and Vinicius Junior’s creativity. However, injuries plague the squad. Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni will miss out, forcing Ancelotti to rely on Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy in defense.
Manchester City arrives amid a resurgence under Pep Guardiola. The Sky Blues remain unwavered despite their loss against Leverkusen last time out. Erling Haaland leads the charge with 18 strikes this season, supported by Phil Foden’s midfield mastery. City draws three of five UCL outings, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that concede an average of 1.4 goals per game. Rodri’s absence will definitely hurt the blues midfield but in form Rayan Cherkin will provide added creativity.
Head-to-head history favors drama. The rivals meet for the seventh time in UCL knockouts or phases since 2020, with City winning three, Real two, and one draw. Past clashes produce fireworks, averaging 3.5 goals per game. Nine of their last 11 encounters exceed 2.5 goals. Memorable moments include City’s 4-0 thrashing in 2023 and Real’s penalty shootout triumph in 2024.
Tactics promise intensity. Ancelotti deploys a 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing counterattacks through Mbappe and Vinicius. Jude Bellingham anchors midfield, tasked with disrupting City’s possession game. Guardiola counters with a fluid 4-2-3-1, focusing on high pressing to exploit Real’s makeshift backline. Haaland targets spaces behind Rudiger.
