Champions League Showdown: Real Madrid vs Manchester City Full Preview with Teams, Start Time, and Lineups
The highly anticipated UEFA Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City is set for December 10, 2025. The match will take place at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, kicking off at 9 PM local time (20:00 GMT). Football enthusiasts can follow the lead-up on Emegypt’s Al Jazeera Sport, with coverage starting at 5 PM GMT.
Current Standings and Form
Real Madrid enters this match under pressure, sitting fifth in the Champions League standings with 12 points, trailing leaders Arsenal by three points. Meanwhile, Manchester City holds ninth place with 10 points, aiming for a top-eight finish to secure their spot in the knockout phase.
Real Madrid’s recent form has been disappointing. They suffered a 2-0 defeat against Celta Vigo last Sunday, resulting in two red cards that left them with nine players. This loss has intensified expectations for manager Xabi Alonso, who has only seen his team win two of their last seven matches across all competitions.
In contrast, Manchester City enters the match in good spirits after a 3-0 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League. Goals from Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Phil Foden secured their third consecutive league win, keeping their title hopes alive.
Injury Concerns
The match poses significant challenges for Real Madrid, especially without their leading scorer, Kylian Mbappe, who missed training due to a muscle injury. His potential absence could greatly affect Madrid’s chances against City, especially since he has scored 25 goals in 21 matches this season.
Current injuries also plague Real Madrid, with as many as eight players on the sidelines, including Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao. Meanwhile, City will be without John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and Rodri due to injuries.
Manager Comments and Rivalry History
Despite the mounting pressure, Alonso remains optimistic. He acknowledged the need for his team to harness the energy of the Bernabeu atmosphere, emphasizing unity and focus as key to overcoming City.
Guardiola expressed support for his fellow Spaniard, wishing Alonso well during this challenging phase. Both managers recognize the unique intensity of this rivalry, which has seen Real Madrid and Manchester City claim three of the last four Champions League titles.
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid’s Expected Starting Eleven
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Federico Valverde, Marco Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Alvaro Carreras
- Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos
- Forwards: Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Fran Garcia
Manchester City’s Expected Starting Eleven
- Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Defenders: Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Josh O’Reilly
- Midfielder: Maximo Gonzalez
- Forwards: Rayan Cherki, Joran Reijnders, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland
This matchup promises to be another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between Real Madrid and Manchester City as they vie for supremacy in the Champions League.
