Fed Up With City? Real Madrid Know They'll Meet Again — And They're Ready
Real Madrid face Sporting CP or Man City in the last 16. Judging by recent history, everyone at the Bernabéu already knows which way this is going.
Real Madrid came through their Champions League play-off against Benfica, and now the last-16 draw looms. On paper it’s a coin flip — Sporting CP or Manchester City. In practice, well, you already know, don’t you.
The Elephant in the Room
Everyone connected to Real Madrid seems to have made their peace with the likelihood of yet another City tie. Thibaut Courtois, never short of a word, was fairly breezy about it after the Benfica win — “Nos veremos con ellos, sí” — essentially saying yeah, we’ll see them again, almost like it was inevitable. Álvaro Arbeloa chipped in too, joking about the draw balls and noting that, whoever comes out, the away leg will be the real test.
It’s the kind of resigned familiarity you get when two clubs have been absolutely at each other’s throats for the best part of a decade in Europe.
The Head-to-Head is Remarkably Even
Here’s the thing that might surprise you — across 15 meetings, it’s perfectly level:
- 5 wins for Real Madrid
- 5 wins for Manchester City
- 5 draws
- City edge the goal difference, 26–25
For all the drama, all the chaos, all the iconic moments, you genuinely couldn’t call it. That’s proper football, that is.
Recent History Favours Madrid — But City Did Win at the Bernabéu This Season
Madrid fans will point to the last two knockout ties going their way — Mbappé’s exhibition last season, and Lunin’s heroics in that penalty shootout in Manchester the year before. Lovely memories.
But City actually beat Madrid in the league phase back in December, coming from behind at the Bernabéu. Rodrygo put Madrid ahead, then O’Reilly and Haaland flipped it. Mbappé was on the bench that night, and his availability for any potential last-16 clash is reportedly a concern again.
Zoom out a bit and the full picture is messier:
- 2015-16 (semis): City knocked out Madrid — Pellegrini’s lot
- 2019-20 (last 16): City went through again
- 2021-22 (semis): That Rodrygo brace. Unforgettable. Madrid through.
- 2022-23 (semis): City absolutely battered Madrid. Revenge served cold.
- 2023-24 (last 16): Madrid through again, Mbappé doing the business
- 2024-25 (last 16): Lunin’s shootout heroics in Manchester
So yeah — City smashed them in 2022-23, but Madrid have had the better of it in the knockout rounds more recently.
What’s the Vibe?
Honestly? There’s a sense at Madrid that they’d rather face Sporting — a tidy Portuguese side, a lovely stadium, a different challenge. But there’s also zero fear about City. These are two clubs that know each other inside out by now. The mutual respect is there, but so is the confidence.
The last-16 ties are only a fortnight away. If the draw does throw up Madrid vs City again, it’ll be box office. Simple as.