(Football news) Though nothing could separate the two big rivals in the Spanish capital before City went wild at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s team destroyed the 14-time winners 5-1 over two matches just under a year ago to sweep into the final.

Real Madrid, who are growing accustomed to tough knockout evenings with their Manchester rivals, still have a lot of unfinished business at Etihad following their humiliation the previous season, but Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos’ recent form gives hope that Tuesday’s hosts might unseat the Sky Blues.

After suffering Copa del Rey agony at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the middle of January, the La Liga champions elect have strung together a 13-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, including a two-legged victory – albeit a slightly unconvincing one – over RB Leipzig in the Champions League last 16.

A 1-0 away success preceded a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu in the second leg, sufficient to send the 14-time European champions through to the last eight for the fourth season running, and it has been 20 years since Real Madrid were last knocked out of the continent’s premier competition at this stage.

Since falling to Monaco’s superiority in 2003-04, Los Blancos have emerged triumphant from their last 11 Champions League quarter-final contests, and the hosts reunite with Man City on the back of a three-game La Liga winning streak, netting 10 goals against Celta Vigo, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao.

Enjoying a nine-day break since a straightforward 2-0 beating of the latter, keeping them eight points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table, Los Blancos now endeavour to extend their incredible streak without defeat at home – standing at 26 matches since Villarreal’s 3-2 triumph in April 2023 – if they are to arrive in Manchester with something to protect rather than pursue.

Willi Orban’s inconsequential equaliser for RB Leipzig also represents the only goal that Real Madrid have conceded in their last five contests on their own turf in all tournaments, but reigning champions Man City arrive in the capital having flaunted their attacking prowess on the road throughout 2024.

After going through the group stage without dropping a single point, Man City customarily made light work of Danish champions Copenhagen in the last 16 with a pair of 3-1 successes home and away, meaning that Pep Guardiola’s men have sensationally scored three goals in each of their eight Champions League matches so far in 2023-24.

In fact, not since last year’s 1-1 Bernabeu draw have City failed to prevail in Europe’s top tournament – enjoying the second-longest winning streak in the history of the Champions League at 10 matches – and their overall unbeaten sequence in the competition stands at a remarkable 21 since a 3-1 loss away to, who else, Real Madrid in 2022.

Thanks to a masterful performance from Kevin De Bruyne, Guardiola’s team defeated Crystal Palace 4-2 on Saturday in the Premier League. With this victory, they moved up to second place behind title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool. Coming into the Bernabeu, the team has won 11 of their last 12 away from the Etihad and has not lost in any of their previous 25 games across all competitions.

In addition, Real Madrid, who have only triumphed once in their previous six meetings with the holders, was soundly defeated 4-0 at home by Man City to start their 10-match winning run in the Champions League. Though the Spaniards have only lost one of their five meetings with the Citizens at the Bernabeu, something will eventually have to give between the two managers.

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