Manchester City vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League team news and line-ups ahead of huge play-off clash

“Last year, the whole year itself, it was weird because my little daughter was born, but apart from that it was one of the most difficult years – probably the most difficult year of my life for many reasons, on and off the pitch,” said Jack Grealish in the aftermath Manchester City’s victory over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

“I found it really difficult. But it’s a new year, a sort of fresh start, and hopefully I can kick on from here.

“I do find it difficult at times to come in and out of games, not really playing. Hopefully I can keep training well and playing a few more games.”

Grealish was a part of City’s Premier League winning squad last season which lifted the top-flight trophy for the fourth time in a row yet the winger only started 10 times for Pep Guardiola’s side.

He then missed out on a spot at Euro 2024 in the summer where England reached the final before losing out to Spain.

Manchester City are not in a good run of form and come up against Real Madrid at a tough time.

Pep Guardiola’s side tend to turn up to big European games and impress but their performances have been worrying of late.

Real Madrid have some winning momentum and are legends at making it through knockout ties. Expect goals and a narrow win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Man City 1-2 Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have been hit with plenty of injury worries. Lucas Vazquez has been ruled out for up to three weeks with a muscle strain picked up in the draw against Atletico Madrid. Dani Carvajal is out for the season as is Eder Militao.

Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are closing in on a return but may not be ready of tonight’s match though Eduardo Camavinga could feature off the bench.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Modric, Ceballos, Bellingham; Vinicius Jr, Mbappe, Rodrygo

Pep Guardiola is hopeful John Stones and Ruben Dias will be fit enough to feature against Real Madrid as both defenders aim to regain full fitness after recent injuries. Nico Gonzalez was forced off in City’s FA Cup tie versus Leyton Orient and is a doubt.

Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo Silva; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland

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The Champions League play-off first leg between Man City and Real Madrid is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 11 February at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s team snuck into the knockout stages of the competition with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the final round of fixtures during the league phase. The Premier League champions won just three of their eight matches and finished 22nd in the table, just inside of the 24-team cut off.

City’s form continues to fluctuate though as they where heavily beaten 5-1 by Arsenal in their most recent Premier League outing before edging into the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 win over League One side Plymouth Argyle.

In comparison, Real Madrid also struggled in the Champions League, though they were in no risk of elimination in this revamped format. Carlo Ancelotti’s men finished 11th, outside the automatic last-16 spots, but have only lost once in their last eight matches across all competitions.

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Manchester City play host to Real Madrid in the first leg of their play-off tie.

One of Europe’s biggest teams will be exiting the competition ahead of the last-16 stage as Pep Guardiola attempts to mastermind a victory against Carlo Ancelotti’s serial winners.

We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and more tonight so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.