Real Madrid's Possible Champions League Last-16 Opponents: Man City or Sporting CP
Real Madrid are in the Champions League last 16 after seeing off Benfica. Here's who they could face in the next round and what to expect.
Real Madrid are through to the Champions League last 16 — but it wasn’t exactly plain sailing getting there, and the draw on Friday could hand them another proper test.
The Long Way Round
Arbeloa’s side made life difficult for themselves in the league phase, losing to Benfica in the final matchday and slipping into the playoff round as a result. They did come through that tie against the Portuguese side, but it was the kind of route to the knockouts that Madrid fans won’t be rushing to brag about down the pub.
Still, they’re in the hat — and that’s what matters.
Who Could They Draw?
The draw takes place this Friday, and it’ll set the bracket from the last 16 all the way through to the final. For Madrid, there are two possible opponents, and the contrast between them is quite something:
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Manchester City — Pep Guardiola’s side, who’ve become something of a recurring fixture in Madrid’s Champions League journey in recent years. This one would be a 50/50 shot of landing in the bracket, and nobody’s going to pretend it’s a comfortable draw. City are one of the tournament’s genuine heavyweights, and these two have history — loads of it.
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Sporting CP — The other potential opponent, and on paper the more manageable tie. The Lisbon club would represent a different kind of challenge, and given Madrid aren’t seeded for this round, they’d host the first leg at the Bernabéu before heading to Portugal for the return.
Home or Away First?
Because Real Madrid come into this round as a non-seeded side, the format works in a specific way — they’d play the first leg at home (the Bernabéu) and travel for the second leg. That’s not the worst position to be in, especially if you fancy building a lead in front of your own crowd before going away.
The Bigger Picture
Whichever way the draw falls, Madrid will know their full potential path through the competition — quarter-finals, semis, the lot — come Friday evening. That’s the new format doing its thing: full bracket clarity from the last 16 onwards.
If it’s City, buckle up. If it’s Sporting, don’t get complacent — Portuguese sides have a habit of making life uncomfortable in Europe. Either way, it’s going to be a tasty one.