A far cry from the all-conquering European team that went an outstanding 22 games unbeaten in the Champions League from September 2022 to April 2024, Pep Guardiola's champions-in-crisis were facing the very real prospect of being eliminated at the first league phase hurdle.

Just two of City's first seven Champions League matches this term saw the 2022-23 winners come up trumps, and Belgian giants Club Brugge threatened the shock of all shocks at the Etihad on the final matchday, but a 3-1 comeback triumph was enough to propel City into the coveted top-24 positions.

However, since surviving by the skin of their teeth in Europe, the Sky Blues have flattered to deceive yet again; on the back of their 5-1 Premier League pummelling at the hands of Arsenal, Guardiola's men only just eked out an unconvincing 2-1 FA Cup win at third-tier Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Nevertheless, the form book still makes for pleasant reading at face value for the Man City faithful, as the English champions' cup success marked their seventh win from their last 10 matches, and Guardiola's crop have now found the back of the net in 13 successive contests.

Furthermore, the Citizens remain unblemished at their Etihad headquarters in 2025 - beating Chelsea, Club Brugge, Salford City and West Ham United while scoring at least three goals on each occasion - and the hosts could now win five straight home matches in all tournaments for the first time since 2023.

Also seeing their powers wane in Europe after notching their record-extending 15th crown at Wembley last year, Real Madrid's customary place in the knockout rounds came under some threat owing to three defeats from their first five continental contests of the campaign.

However, Carlo Ancelotti's seasoned competitors swatted aside Atalanta BC, Red Bull Salzburg and Brest in their final three league-phase matches to end up just one point shy of the top eight, but failure to earn a direct ticket to the last 16 still represents underperformance from the reigning champions.

Since their closing 3-0 win over Brest in their last UCL engagement, Real Madrid's domestic fortunes have been the dictionary definition of mixed; one win, one draw and one defeat across the Copa del Rey and La Liga, where they controversially accepted a 1-1 stalemate with city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

A questionable Julian Alvarez penalty preceded a Kylian Mbappe leveller in that Bernabeu battle, where Ancelotti's men were admittedly on top throughout the second half, but a combination of Jan Oblak and their own profligacy let them down.

Nevertheless, that point was enough to keep Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table over Diego Simeone's men, and Los Blancos now prepare to face Man City for the fourth Champions League season in a row, with fond memories of ending the Sky Blues' reign on penalties last term.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ederson; Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Camavinga, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe