Pep Guardiola received a significant boost to his first-team options this week with the return of four names to training ground action on Thursday.Manchester City are currently in the process of

Real Madrid has confirmed a second injury to a first team star which will likewise severely affect planning for a Champions League showdown with Manchester City.

The top eight teams from the group stage await their challengers, including Manchester City and Real Madrid, who are set for a thrilling encounter. Manchester City vs Real Madrid:

Real Madrid will play Manchester City in the Champions League knockout playoffs round in a standout clash of the past two title winners after the draw was made Friday.

Manchester City will face holders Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs. The teams who finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase of the tournament will play two-legged play-off ties on 11-12 and 18-19 February to decide who advances to the round of 16.

As per details provided by the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Manchester City will only be able to register three new signings for their squad for the second stage of the UEFA Champions League, with submitted by Thursday 6 February.

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City is now a familiar sight in the Champions League. European soccer’s most engrossing rivalry in recent years will resume in a two-legged playoff next month to reach the round of 16.

Elsewhere among the eight ties, Celtic meet Bayern Munich and there is an all-French contest between minnows Brest and serial domestic champions Paris Saint-Germain. The first legs of the play-off matches will take place on February 11 and 12, with the returns a week later.

Real Madrid learned its opponents for the Champions League playoff round earlier, knowing it would be Manchester City or Celtic. Los Blancos were drawn against the 2023 competition winners and Premier League Champion Manchester City.

Real Madrid confirmed a huge injury blow which will severly affect head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for this month’s Champions League clash with Manchester City.

Real Madrid central defender Antonio Rüdiger has been diagnosed with a leg muscle injury sustained in a Spanish league game on Saturday.