Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the second leg of the 2025/26 Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. City will be hoping for a remontada after suffering a 3:0 defeat in the first leg.
Real Madrid head into the match in strong form, having followed up their first-leg victory with a 4–1 win over Elche in La Liga Round 28 on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
Federico Valverde has been particularly impressive, scoring four goals in his last two matches, and is expected to be a key figure once again against City.
In contrast, Manchester City’s recent performances have raised concerns. Their 1:1 draw against West Ham highlighted ongoing struggles, with the team lacking the sharpness required to mount a comeback of this magnitude.
Softfootball believes it will be a difficult task for City, especially considering the current form of key players. Erling Haaland has scored just one goal in his last eight matches, a surprising return for a striker known for consistent goal scoring.
Phil Foden, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki have also shown signs of declining form, contributing to a lack of cohesion in the team’s overall play.
While a comeback is still possible, overturning a three-goal deficit against a confident Real Madrid side remains a significant challenge, and a 4:0 victory appears unlikely based on current form.
