Real Madrid vs Man City LIVE Champions League team news and Erling Haaland latest

Real to put faith in youth?

As their injury crisis continues, Arbeloa said this when asked if his younger players were ready to step up:

Well... I think we all agree that in Vigo, the youth team players showed they’re not afraid to step up. Thiago had a fantastic game, Palacios changed the team, Manuel Ángel was key on that ball... it’s not easy to trust the youth academy when you’re sitting here, and that’s something people need to understand.

Because the best players in the world are here, and to play a youth player, you have to bench one of them. It’s not easy, but I have a lot of faith in them, and I feel that people identify with them. They’re ready for matches like tomorrow’s, as they’ve already shown.

ICYMI: Travelling squad

A 23-man squad headed out to Madrid on Tuesday afternoon.

Haaland, who missed the FA Cup fifth round victory over Newcastle United, was included after training with his teammates in Manchester on Tuesday morning.

There were also spots on the plane for Semenyo and Guehi. The duo who signed from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace respectively in January, were ineligible to play the final league phase fixtures against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray.

See the 23-man squad here >>>

Arbeloa on Pep

[Pep] always has a surprise prepared. He's a coach who, as much as you watch his teams, will have something different prepared, with the variations he's capable of using. I'd be surprised if there weren't some change in their structure, how they want to attack, or a player who hasn't played recently.

Pep and Donnarumma give their thoughts

Guardiola was flanked by Donnarumma at his pre-match press conference in Madrid yesterday evening.

The pair gave their thoughts on the upcoming clash, City's Champions League aspirations and the news that Mbappe looks set to be out of tonight's game because of an injury.

Read everything they had to say here >>>

City stars may defy Guardiola

Guardiola believes that Champions League success has to be earned. Be it Barcelona, Bayern Munich or City, he thinks that blood, sweat, and tears are the backbone of any team that wants to 'grow up' and win the competition.

After several years of playing well but finding new heart-breaking ways to lose, 2023 in Istanbul was when City dragged themselves over the line despite not playing well in the final against Inter.

Against Real Madrid in the next fortnight, he wants his City team to 'deserve' to go through because they have stood up and been themselves on the big stage - even though most of those players have moved on.

Read on here >>>

Pre-Real podcast

The latest edition of our Talking City podcast was filmed yesterday ahead of the Real Madrid clash.

Join Simon Bajkowski out in Madrid as he discusses tonight's game with Alex James.

Watch here >>>

Odds ahead of tonight's game

Here are the odds ahead of tonight's huge clash at the Bernabeu:

Real win: 13/5

Draw: 11/4

City: 1/1

See all the odds with Bet365 here >>>

OPINION: View from Madrid

What is Guardiola trying to achieve on the touchline in going out of his way to irk the officials? And what does it mean for City for both this season and beyond?

In the middle of an excellent performance from his players in the FA Cup at Newcastle, Guardiola appeared to have one of his strangest days in the office. He may never be a man to hide his frustrations, yet he went above and beyond his normal behaviour with referees before and after he picked up a yellow card.

Read more from our chief City writer Simon Bajkowski here >>>

Donnarumma's response on Mbappe absence

Donnarumma is more confident of an easier night knowing Mbappe will not be available to hurt Manchester City again.

The former PSG striker scored a hat-trick against the Blues in the play-off last season and is the top scorer in the Champions League in this campaign, but he has been ruled out of the first leg through injury and is facing a race against time to make the second leg next week.

Read what he said here >>>

Valverde on Mbappe

Federico Valverde spoke yesterday about his side's plan in the absence of Kylian Mbappe against City. The Frenchman last played for Real in the defeat to Osasuna in February and has missed the last three matches due to a knee injury.

On Monday, Mbappe was pictured training alone as he continues his recovery. He was then spotted in a training session on Tuesday but Real are expected to be without their talisman this evening.

Read what he said here >>>

Real predicted XI

Thibaut Courtois will start in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold is a familiar foe for City and should start at right-back.

Dean Huijsen missed the weekend victory over Celta Vigo due to suspension but is available to feature again alongside Antonio Rudiger at the back. Former Manchester United defender Alvaro Carreras has been the firm favourite at left-back this season but he picked up a calf injury recently and is unlikely to be available.

Read the rest of the team here >>>

Early team news

As many as NINE players could miss tonight's game through injury.

Gvardiol will play no part having suffered a fracture to his right leg during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea in January. Kovacic is another who has spent a significant spell in the treatment room and he is also unavailable tonight, although he is back in team training and so there's a hope a return could be on the horizon.

Alleyne is continuing his comeback from a knock and he has been included in the travelling squad, as has Haaland after he sat out the FA Cup victory over Newcastle on Saturday.

Read on here >>>

City predicted XI

Donnarumma will return ahead of Trafford while Guehi should make his Champions League debut alongside Dias. Nunes did feature at St James' Park but should retain his spot having made the right-back position his own. Ait-Nouri is also likely to return despite Nathan Ake's solid performance at Newcastle.

Having avoided a ban on Monday, Rodri will start in midfield. In front of him is where difficult decisions need to be made. Semenyo has been in brilliant form and should also make his Champions League debut.

Read on here >>>

How can I watch the game?

Tonight's game will be will be shown live in the UK via Prime Video UK, TNT Sports 1, discovery+ and discovery+ app.

If you don't have access to any of those channels, stick with us for minute-by-minute updates of this huge encounter.

Here we go!

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of City's clash with Real Madrid.

Kick off is at 8pm tonight and we'll have all the build-up, updates and reaction from the Bernabeu. We saw some very one-sided games in the Champions League last night but this clash is almost certain to be a tight affair. Both teams are evenly matched and nobody will want to throw the tie away before the second leg. That being said, with all the attacking talent that will be on the pitch tonight, who knows what could happen.

It promises to be a fascinating affair and we'll be with you every step of the way.