Real Madrid’s Absences
Football fans are eagerly waiting for the upcoming clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the 16th round of the UEFA Champions League.
The draw for the knockout stage has set up a showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester City, marking an early final between the two teams, who have won the European title in the last three editions.
In recent years, the match between Manchester City and Real Madrid has become a major European classic, as the two teams met in the semi-finals in 2022 and 2023, and in the quarter-finals last season.
The upcoming Manchester City vs Real Madrid clash will see both teams missing some key players, which will certainly affect the match’s dynamics.
For Real Madrid, the defence will be missing four important names, which will negatively impact the defending Champions League holders.
Dani Carvajal and Brazilian Éder Militão both have serious knee ligament injuries and are expected to return only in the summer of 2025, as they prepare for the 2025-2026 season.
Recently, Antonio Rüdiger from Germany and Austrian David Alaba both picked up injuries. Rüdiger has a muscle injury, and Alaba is struggling with a groin injury.
Rüdiger is likely to be out for three weeks, and Alaba is expected to miss a similar amount of time, meaning both players will miss the Manchester City matches.
Manchester City’s Absences
On the other hand, Manchester City also has some significant injuries, the most notable being their midfield star, Spanish player Rodri.
Like Carvajal and Militão, Rodri is suffering from a torn knee ligament, and he is expected to return at the end of March.
Additionally, Portuguese defender Ruben Dias will be unavailable for Manchester City due to a thigh injury, and it’s still unclear if he will be fit to play before the match against Real Madrid.
Dutch player Nathan Aké is also expected to miss the first leg due to a muscle injury. Belgian winger Jeremy Doku might also miss out, and it’s still uncertain whether he will be ready to play before the Real Madrid clash.
Date of the Manchester City vs Real Madrid Match
Manchester City and Real Madrid will face each other on 11 and 19 February in the UEFA Champions League knockout round.
The first leg will take place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on 11 February at 10:00 PM Cairo time and 12:00 AM Abu Dhabi time.
The second leg will be at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid on Wednesday, 19 February, at the same time, 10:00 PM Cairo time and 12:00 AM Abu Dhabi time.
