Manchester City need to overturn a goal deficit away at Real Madrid to avoid an early Champions League exit.
Two late goals saw the Citizens lose 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout round play-off at the Etihad last week and they now have it all to do at the Bernabeu.
These two have forged some of a classic modern rivalry in this competition in recent times and we should be in for another cracking encounter as both sides look to salvage somewhat underwhelming domestic campaigns.
Check out the confirmed starting XIs for the 8pm clash below.
📰 Table Of Contents
Real Madrid
📋✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @ManCity pic.twitter.com/ot3k5IT6eP— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 19, 2025
Jude Bellingham starts for Real Madrid after being handed a two-match suspension by LaLiga. He features in midfield alongside Dani Ceballos and Aurelian Tchouemeni, who returns to a more familiar role after starting in defence last time out.
Federico Valverde is selected at right-back with Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio with Ferland Mendy at left-back.
Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junio all start in attack.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Subs: Lunin, Mestre, Alaba, Camavinga, Modric, Guler, Endrick, Vasquez, Vallejo, Fran Garcia, Brahim.
Manchester City
Your City team to take on Real Madrid 🩵
XI | Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Nico, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, Kovacic, Haaland, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Nunes, Lewis, McAtee#ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/qn1W7ZBZyz
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 19, 2025
Manchester City have benched Erling Haaland for this crucial clash despite scoring both goals in last week’s defeat.
Omar Marmoush is selected in his place after his hat-trick against Newcastle, with Phil Foden and Savinho either side of the Egyptian.
Abdukodir Khusanov comes in at right-back alongside John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. Nico Gonzalez starts in midfield in his first Champions League game for City.
Manchester City XI: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, Kovacic, Haaland, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Nunes, Lewis, McAtee
