Back to the first leg of the play-offs.

The defending champions looked set for defeat in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium after Erling Haaland converted from the spot in the 80th minute.

However, in a remarkable late comeback, Real scored twice through Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory.

The result puts Ancelotti's side in a commanding position ahead of the return leg at the Bernabeu, and there was more good news for the 15-time winners ahead of Wednesday's clash.

Defenders Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba have returned to training and look set to be available for Wednesday's knockout play-off second leg.

Defensive injuries have forced Real to deploy midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni alongside 21-year-old Raul Asencio at the heart of their defence for the last three games.

While Alaba is unlikely to make an immediate return to the starting line-up, having not played since December 2023, Ancelotti confirmed that Rudiger is in contention to make his first start since suffering a muscle injury in early February.

“We need Rudiger and Alaba for the return leg and I think they'll be available,” he told reporters. “It was a pretty surprising game and I didn't think the team would be so capable of showing that level of sacrifice at this stage."

Federico Valverde filled in at right-back against City last week but it nursing a knock after their weekend draw with Osasuna.

‘Lucas Vazquez will be on the bench, but he has not yet completed his recovery plan,’ Ancelotti confirmed.

Manchester City have been hit by four more injuries on the eve of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.

Haaland appeared to buckle his knee against Newcastle United and required treatment on the pitch, but was spotted training with his teammates on Tuesday ahead of the flight to Madrid. Meanwhile, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Jack Grealish all returned to training after missing Saturday's Premier League win.

"Ruben said, 'I'm not ready to play 90 minutes [vs Newcastle], maybe 15-20', but having Vitor [Reis] on the bench, I wouldn't risk," Guardiola revealed. "And Nathan have sick [problems], and problems after the game against Madrid, so both were not ready to play."

City have everything to play for when they visit the Bernabeu on Wednesday. A 4-0 win over the Magpies and a hat-trick from Marmoush will give them the confidence to face the defending champions, while Real Madrid have only lost one Champions League game at home this season.

It will be an intriguing encounter as the two sides meet for the fourth time in four years in the Champions League. Who will be the final winner?