Manchester City has announced its squad for the knockout stage of the Champions League. The list consists of 22 players, including midfielder Rodri, who is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. The club has chosen to include him in the squad, hoping he will be available later in the tournament.
Manchester City has officially announced its squad for the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League, confirming the 22 players who will be eligible to represent the club in the latter stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
The list features many familiar names, but one of the biggest talking points has been the inclusion of Rodri, despite the Spanish midfielder still recovering from a serious cruciate ligament injury. His absence from the pitch since September has been a major blow for City, as the 27-year-old has been a crucial part of Pep Guardiola’s tactical system over the past few seasons. While his return date remains uncertain, the decision to register him highlights the club’s belief that he could still play an important role later in the competition. Guardiola has often praised Rodri’s influence on the team, describing him as one of the most reliable midfielders in the world. His ability to dictate the tempo of matches, break up opposition attacks, and contribute both defensively and offensively makes him an invaluable asset. However, City will have to carefully manage his recovery, ensuring he does not return prematurely and risk further setbacks. Given the intensity of the Champions League knockout rounds, having a fully fit Rodri could be a decisive factor in City’s bid to retain the trophy they won last season.
While Rodri’s inclusion was a key talking point, another major decision was the exclusion of 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis. The young center-back joined Manchester City in January from Palmeiras for a reported fee of 37 million euros, marking another big investment in the club’s long-term defensive plans. However, he has not been included in the squad for the Champions League knockout rounds, suggesting that Guardiola may not yet see him as ready for the highest level of European football. Instead, Reis is expected to continue developing within the club, potentially earning minutes in domestic competitions before becoming a regular part of City’s first-team plans. On the other hand, several of City’s other winter signings have made the squad. Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Nico González have all been registered and could play key roles in City’s European campaign. The club was active in the transfer market, spending approximately 210 million euros across their January acquisitions. While some of these players will need time to fully integrate into Guardiola’s demanding system, their inclusion suggests that City is prioritizing depth and squad rotation as they compete on multiple fronts.
With their Champions League squad finalized, Manchester City now turns its full attention to their upcoming Round of 16 clash against Real Madrid, one of the most highly anticipated fixtures of this season’s knockout stage. The first leg is set to take place next Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, where City will look to capitalize on home advantage and gain a crucial lead before traveling to the Santiago Bernabéu for the return leg a week later. This tie is a rematch of last season’s semi-final, which saw City dismantle Real Madrid in the second leg at the Etihad, winning 4-0 to advance to the final. That result was a statement performance from Guardiola’s side, who went on to win their first-ever Champions League title. However, Real Madrid, a club synonymous with European success, will undoubtedly be motivated to avenge that heavy defeat. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Los Blancos have once again shown their resilience and ability to perform in high-pressure situations, making them one of the toughest opponents City could face. Guardiola will be relying on key players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden to deliver in the crucial moments. Haaland, in particular, was unstoppable in last season’s knockout rounds, and his presence will be vital against a Real Madrid defense that has been solid this season but has shown vulnerabilities. De Bruyne’s creativity and ability to unlock defenses will also be a significant factor, as City looks to break down Madrid’s disciplined structure.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, will look to their own star players, including Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Jr., and Rodrygo, to cause problems for City’s defense. Bellingham, in his debut season at Madrid, has been in sensational form, consistently delivering big performances in crucial matches. His ability to drive forward, score goals, and dictate play from midfield makes him a player City will need to keep a close eye on. Meanwhile, Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo’s pace and dribbling ability could pose serious threats on the counterattack, an area where City has occasionally struggled against teams with quick transitions. This clash represents much more than just a Round of 16 tie—it is a battle between two of the most dominant clubs in world football. Manchester City is determined to retain their Champions League title and establish themselves as the new powerhouse of European football, while Real Madrid, with their 14 Champions League trophies, are looking to reclaim their throne as the kings of Europe.
Both teams are among the favorites to go all the way in the competition, meaning that whoever emerges victorious from this tie will have a strong claim as the frontrunner for the title. Guardiola has often spoken about the challenges of defending a Champions League trophy, acknowledging that the hunger and motivation of other teams make it an even bigger task than winning it the first time. Meanwhile, Ancelotti knows what it takes to navigate the latter stages of this competition, having guided Madrid to multiple European triumphs during his time at the club. With so much at stake, every tactical decision, every key moment, and every individual battle on the pitch could make the difference. City will want to take control of the tie in the first leg, using their possession-based dominance to dictate the flow of the game, while Madrid will likely look to remain compact, absorb pressure, and hit on the counter.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this matchup is the contrast in styles between Guardiola and Ancelotti. Guardiola’s philosophy is built on structured positional play, control of possession, and intricate passing sequences to dismantle opponents. Ancelotti, on the other hand, has a more pragmatic approach, allowing his team to adapt to different situations and emphasizing efficiency in the final third. Historically, Guardiola has had his fair share of struggles against Real Madrid in the Champions League, particularly during his time at Bayern Munich. However, last season’s dominant victory in the semi-finals showed that he has found a way to impose his style against the Spanish giants. Ancelotti, though, will have learned from that experience and is likely to make tactical adjustments to prevent a repeat of that heavy defeat.
For Manchester City, this tie could set the tone for their entire European campaign. If they manage to eliminate Real Madrid, they will solidify their status as the team to beat in this year’s tournament. On the other hand, if Madrid can pull off another classic Champions League performance, it will reaffirm their reputation as the ultimate big-game club. The battle begins next Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, where City will look to take a crucial first step toward the quarter-finals. The second leg at the Bernabéu promises to be just as electrifying, with both teams aiming to write another chapter in their storied European rivalry. Regardless of the outcome, this matchup has all the ingredients to be one of the standout fixtures of the season.
