Manchester City are set to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League playoffs in bid for a place in this season's last round of 16.
Manchester City have had a far from ideal start to the Champions League, after finding themselves on the brink of elimination on the final matchday. However, they pulled off a 3-1 win over Club Brugge to remain safe in the comeptiton and finished the League phase on 22nd place.
With the top eight clubs already booking their spots in the last 16, now nine to 24 must go through a playoff tie in order to reach the next round and join the other eight teams.
Man City's fellow Premier League sides, Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa are all apart of the top eight; something that many would have expcected the most from City out of the four PL clubs.
While they weren't capable of making the top eight, the Cityzens still got the job done and remain in the European competition; but will need to take on a huge giant if they are to continue beyond this upcoming round.
Man City were paired up with celtic, who were one place ahead of them on 21st. Meaning they would either would either face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
While the Scottish side drew Bayern Munich, it meant Manchester City were to meet Real Madrid for the fourth season in a row.
This is a matchup we are use to seeing in the quarter-final or semi-final, it's a big shock to everyone that this will happen so early on and especially, that one of these heavyweights will be kncoked out before the last 16 even arrives.
The two clubs will be meeting for the fifth time in the last six seasons, with this upcoming fixture being the fourth in a row.
We've been treated to some memorable and dramatic encounters. In 2019/2020, City defeated Real 4-2 on aggregate to advance to the semi-finals.
In 21/22, which probably falls under one of the biggest blockbuster matches ever, we saw a goal-filled two-leg tie which ended 6-5 to the Madridstas in a last-minute comeback to break the hearts of Manchester City who were only a few minutes away from reaching the final. After this, Real Madrid went on to beat Liverpool and win the title.
For the 22/23 campaign, Man City were determined to get revenge on the club that prevented them a place in the final in one of the cruellest of ways, and this time it seemed like a walk in the park for the Sky Blues who were 5-1 winners on aggregate. Manchester City went on to win the final to claim their first-ever UCL.
Last season, 23/24 saw an incredible first leg between the two; which ended with a 3-3 draw. The return leg needed to be decided on penalties as it was a 1-1 draw in normal time and extra time, meaning a 4-4 aggregate. Real Madrid defeated City on penalties and once again, went on to win the competition.
Now, we get to be treated to another instalment of this mindblowing fixture between two of Europe's biggest teams. Also, for the first time since they joined these two clubs, we will see a battle between two of the biggest players in the world as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe come face to face.
Pep Guardiola reacts to draw
"It looks like a derby already, four years in a row facing Madrid. Madrid or Bayern both were really tough, hopefully, we can arrive as best as possible."
"We have done it many, many times. When we were out of the Champions League and now we are in the Champions League. Could we be better? Yes."
"The draw could be nicer, yes. But who knows, if you play celtic and is it harder? Bayern was extremely difficult, and Madrid are extremely difficult, but we have done it before."
When the option of playing either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich arised after matchday eight came to an end, Pep Stated that he had 'No complainst at all' with City taking on either of the two big clubs.
Guardiola also simply added that City will 'Try it and see what happens' in terms of their chances of qualifying.