We simulated Man City vs Real Madrid to predict Champions League first leg clash
The past two Champions League winners will go head to head for a spot in the round of 16 tonight with Man City hosting Real Madrid in a huge first leg clash.
A 3-1 win over Club Brugge ensured City weren't eliminated in the League Phase, with Pep Guardiola's side being drawn against Real Madrid in the play-off. This will be the fifth time in the last six seasons that City and Real have met in the Champions League, with Guardiola's side knocked out last year in the quarter-finals on penalties after drawing 4-4 on aggregate.
So, can City get off to a winning start in their Champions League Round of 32 clash with Real Madrid? Let's take a look...
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We simulated Man City vs Real Madrid to get a score prediction
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that City could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gonzalez; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland.
We predict that the Spanish side could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Valverde, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe.
The first 30 minutes in Manchester was a real tactical battle, with neither side creating any major chances with City seeing more of the ball. Towards the end of the half the visitors started to look dangerous and in the 44th minute Carlo Ancelotti's side went ahead.
Rodrygo beat Josko Gvardiol to a loose ball on the wing, allowing the Brazilian to surge down the right unchallenged as Madrid flew forward in numbers. His low cross found Kylian Mbappe whose first-time shot was well saved by Ederson, but the ball fell back to the striker who was able to tap home, sending the Spanish side into the break ahead.
City came out the blocks firing in the second half, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both hitting the post as they suffocated Real. Guardiola's side had full control and in the 74th minute they managed to draw level.
A loose pass in midfield allowed Kevin De Bruyne to pick up possession, with a smart one-two with Mateo Kovacic sending him through on goal. The Belgian poked a pass through to Haaland and the striker fired into the far corner to level the score. Neither side could find a winner, with the tie in the balance heading into the second leg in Madrid.
