Real Madrid failed to extend their winning streak at home in the Champions League with a final score of 1:2 against Manchester City. The Spaniards were unable to draw the game despite having more shots on goal; the only one able to score for the home side being Rodrygo (‘28). After being down a goal O’Reilly managed to score for City. Guardiola’s team was lucky to receive a penalty that Erling Haaland took for the Brits, finalising the score. Each side has now won five matches against the other.
Real Madrid hosted Manchester City in the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (10.12.2025; 21:00 kickoff). The two football giants faced each other for the fifth year in a row, with a total of 14 historic matchups having been played in the past. The atmosphere in the Spanish capital was electric, as expected with such an iconic rivalry being played out under the floodlights.
Both teams had something to prove, Real Madrid having suffered a 0:2 defeat at home on Sunday against Celta and Manchester City having lost 2:0 to Leverkusen in the last round of the Champions League.
The match clearly came with challenges for both teams. Both sides were looking to proceed to the Knock out phase of the competition as they have previously done so 29 and 14 times respectively.
City coach Guardiola chose to make 10 changes to his lineup before facing the Spaniards, but Xabi Alonso struggled to adjust to these changes due to a heavily injured defensive line and by missing top scorer Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman had missed the final training on Tuesday and although he was on the bench, he did not end up playing for Los Blancos. His skillset was visibly missing from the team, who struggled to put the ball in the net. With 16 shots in total only one ended up being on target in comparison to City’s total of 12 shots with 8 on target.
Mbappe alone scored four goals in the previous Champions League game against Olympiacos, so his presence on the pitch could have very well changed the outcome of the night drastically.
There were six yellow cards awarded, three for each side. Foden received the first card of the match, followed by Rüdiger, O’Reilly, Guardiola, Rodrygo, Carreras and Silva. Man of the match was Nico O’Reilly.
Xabi Alonso now faces increased rumours about his remain at the club; Real Madrid’s flawless home performance in the Champions League having been his saving grace. Pep Guardiola on the other hand can be very pleased with his players’ performance against the “Kings of Europe” as he called the Spanish team. Both sides are placed within the Top 8 with two more matches to be played before moving to the knockout stages. Manchester City will face Bodo/Glimt away in Norway (20.01.2026; 18:45 kickoff), whereas Real Madrid welcome Monaco (20.01.2026;21:00 kickoff).
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