JUMP TO:
Manchester City travel to Real Madrid in the Champions League for a fifth consecutive season.
The Santiago Bernabeu has not always been a happy hunting ground for Pep Guardiola's side, who last won in the Spanish capital back in 2020.
City were swept aside by a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick in the knockout playoff round last season but return to Madrid on solid form, buoyed by three successive wins and having cut the gap to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to two points.
Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso, who played under Guardiola for two seasons at Bayern Munich, is under pressure following the weekend home loss to Celta Vigo.
Another loss here could put his job on the line.
MORE: How Erling Haaland caused a 'historic period for the country of Norway'
Man City lineup vs. Real Madrid: Confirmed starting XI
Formation: 4-2-2-2
Donnarumma (GK)
Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly
Silva, Nico,
Cherki, Foden
Haaland, Doku
Man City team news
Rodri remains out due to a hamstring problem alongside long-term absentee Mateo Kovacic.
John Stones has been a mainstay in the Champions League this season, but is also out as Guardiola sticks with the configuration that has served him well in the Premier League of late.
Rayan Cherki marked his return to the first XI with two assists in a sparkling performance against Sunderland and is retained against the 15-time European champions.
MORE: Breaking down the prize money on offer in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League
Man City injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Manchester City, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Rodri
- Injury: Hamstring
- Expected return date: December 14
Rodri has suffered a couple of muscular injury setbacks since his return from ACL surgery at the FIFA Club World Cup.
A late substitute cameo against Bournemouth was his first competitive action since suffering a hamstring problem at Brentford a month ago. He has not featured since and Guardiola is refusing to take any risks with the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner.
John Stones
- Injury: Leg
- Expected return date: Unknown
England defender Stones has been peripheral in the Premier League this season but had started four of five Champions League matches prior to the trip to Real Madrid.
He came on in midfield during the unhinged 5-4 win at Fulham on December 2 and has not featured since. At his pre-match news conference at the Santiago Bernabeu, Guardiola confirmed Stones had suffered a leg injury and added the timeframe for his recovery was unclear at present.
Mateo Kovacic
- Injury: Heel/ankle
- Expected return date: February/March 2026
Croatia midfielder Kovacic underwent Achilles surgery over the summer but has suffered a serious setback.
After the 3-1 win over Bournemouth on November 2, Guardiola said the former Chelsea and Real Madrid player would be "out for a while".
"He still has a problem with the ankle, a little calcification still there. We'll wait on him for the last part of the season," the City boss added. Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti confirmed the news and said Kovacic's recovery was likely to take three to four months.
Real Madrid vs. Man City match details
- Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. Local / 8 p.m. GMT
- Location: Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid, Spain)
- Competition: Champions League (league phase matchweek 6)
- Referee: Nicolas Danos
- VAR: Jerome Brisard
Latest Man City news
- Why Rayan Cherki can solve Man City's numbers problem
- Pep Guardiola names Man City's 'fundamental' star amid Rodri injury update
- Why Sergio Aguero is linked in Man City history to Paul Dickov forever