Manchester City to Face Real Madrid in Champions League Round of 16
Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, while several other Premier League clubs are as well set to compete in the knockout stages. The draw, held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Friday, revealed a challenging path for City, who have frequently clashed with the Spanish giants in recent seasons.
Key Matchups and Draw Results
The ties will be played on March 10/11 and March 17/18, with Manchester City hosting the second leg. Other notable Round of 16 pairings include:
- Atalanta v Bayern Munich
- Atletico Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur
- Bodo/Glimt v Sporting
- Galatasaray v Liverpool
- Leverkusen v Arsenal
- Newcastle v Barcelona
- Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea
Recent History Between City and Real Madrid
Manchester City recently defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabéu in December, thanks to goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland [Source – YouTube]. This match was part of a trend of frequent encounters; the two teams have played each other in each of the last five seasons and six of the last seven. Their record stands at five wins apiece in 15 total meetings, with 26 goals scored by each side [Source – ManCity.com].
Potential Quarter-Final and Semi-Final Opponents
Should Manchester City advance, they could face either Atalanta or Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. A potential semi-final matchup could notice them compete against Chelsea, Galatasaray, Liverpool, or Paris Saint-Germain. [Source – ManCity.com]
Other English Clubs’ Paths
Arsenal, seeded in the draw, will play Bayer Leverkusen and could face Sporting or Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals. Liverpool will take on Galatasaray, with a potential quarter-final clash against either Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain. Newcastle United will face Barcelona, potentially leading to a quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea will play Paris Saint-Germain.
Key Dates
- Round of 16: March 10/11 & March 17/18, 2026
- Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & April 14/15, 2026
City’s Pursuit of a Second Champions League Title
Manchester City is aiming for a second Champions League title, having previously lifted the trophy in 2023. [Source – ManCity.com]