For Pep Guardiola, the matches between Real Madrid and Manchester City are starting to feel like a derby. The two top clubs have been drawn against each other in the Champions League knockout stage. This marks the fourth consecutive year they face off in the competition.
For Manchester City, it was a tough draw no matter what. Bayern Munich was the alternative opponent for the English powerhouse.
Instead, they got the Spanish league leaders, a familiar foe. Over the past three seasons, Manchester City and Real Madrid have faced each other six times. Last season, it ended 4-4 over two legs before Real won on penalties. The year before, City won 5-1 on aggregate, and before that, Real triumphed 6-5 after extra time in their two-legged tie.
Now, Guardiola once again finds himself up against the Madrid club. "It’s starting to feel like a derby," the Spaniard laughed during a press conference. "This is the fourth year in a row we’ve faced each other. But Madrid and Bayern would have both been very tough opponents."
The constant clashes between these two European giants have established an intense rivalry, bringing some of the most dramatic encounters in recent Champions League history. Manchester City and Real Madrid have consistently been among the top contenders, making their matchups feel almost inevitable at this stage of the competition. With elite talent on both sides, these games have often produced breathtaking moments, showcasing the very best of European football. From last-minute goals to tactical masterclasses, the history between these two clubs continues to grow richer with each meeting.
For Guardiola, these fixtures add two more high-stakes matches to a month already packed with difficult opponents. City has just played PSG and Chelsea and will face not only Real Madrid but also Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur in the coming weeks. "These are quite difficult matches. But it is what it is. That’s just how it goes in the Premier League. They always schedule the toughest games close together, they’re always so kind with the fixture list. Every single year."
The congestion of fixtures in April has been a longstanding issue for Guardiola, who has often expressed frustration over the relentless scheduling of key matches in short succession. However, City has shown time and again that they can handle the pressure, especially in recent seasons where they have maintained their dominance both domestically and in Europe. This period will test their squad depth, requiring Guardiola to carefully manage player rotations and ensure his team remains sharp for what will be a defining stretch of the season.
Carlo Ancelotti, speaking at his press conference, admitted he was disappointed with the draw. "We strive for perfection, even though it doesn’t exist. But we made mistakes, which is why we didn’t finish in the top eight and missed out on direct qualification. It will be tough, but we have the tools to pass this test as well." Celtic was the alternative opponent for Real.
Ancelotti's reaction highlights the challenge that awaits his team. Despite Real Madrid's illustrious history in the Champions League, facing City so early in the knockout rounds adds another layer of difficulty. The Spanish side, currently leading La Liga, will have to be at their very best to overcome a City team that has only grown stronger under Guardiola’s leadership. With stars like Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Luka Modrić, Real Madrid certainly possesses the quality to trouble City, but they will need to be disciplined and clinical to prevail.
Both managers have immense respect for each other, having faced off multiple times in high-stakes matches. Guardiola and Ancelotti represent two contrasting styles one driven by meticulous tactical control, the other by an ability to maximize the talent at his disposal and adapt to any situation. Their tactical battle will be one of the most intriguing aspects of this tie, as both sides look to outmaneuver each other on the biggest stage.
As the football world eagerly anticipates another chapter in this modern European rivalry, all eyes will be on how these two titans prepare for what promises to be yet another thrilling contest. The familiarity between these sides might make the matches feel like a derby, as Guardiola joked, but there is no doubt that the stakes are as high as ever. With a spot in the next round of the Champions League on the line, only the best will survive in what has become one of the tournament’s most compelling matchups.
