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Real Madrid vs Man City - Champions League quarter-final LIVE: Live score, team news and updates as Pep Guardiola's holders meet European royalty

8 months ago 35

By Michael Pavitt

Published: 18:01 BST, 9 April 2024 | Updated: 18:50 BST, 9 April 2024

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Ancelotti reaches double century in the Champions League

Carlo Ancelotti will make Champions League history this evening as he becomes the first coach to take charge of 200 matches in the competition.

The 64-year-old last year overtook Sir Alex Ferguson to be the manager with the most overall matches.

Ancelotti has won 114 of his previous 199 fixtures in the Champions League, with the Italian having lifted the famous trophy four times as a coach.

Guardiola will be taking charge of his 170th match in the competition. His record stands at 109 wins, 34 draws and 26 defeats.

 Head coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid speaks to the media during a press conference following the training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, at Valdebebas Training Ground on April 08, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Visible security presence in Madrid after ISIS threat

The enhanced security operation has been visible in Madrid in the hours building up to kick-off for this Champions League quarter-final.

Spain's sports minister Pilar Alegría said more than 2,000 police and civil guard officers have been deployed following the threat.

Authorities in Spain have called for calm, stressing that threats are usually aimed at causing fear.

 Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

 Police on horses are seen outside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 09, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - First Leg - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 9, 2024 Police is seen outside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

Spanish national police officers check a manhole outside the Santiago Bernabeu stadium before the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City in Madrid on April 9, 2024. Security are reinforced at Champions League quarter-final matches on March 9 and 10 after a communication outlet supporting the Islamic State group published threats against the Emirates Stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu and Metropolitano stadiums in Madrid, and the Parc des Princes in Paris. European football's governing body UEFA said all four games in Paris, Madrid and London would go ahead despite the jihadist threat. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

Security heightened after ISIS threat

Security has been heightened at all Champions League fixtures this week after an ISIS media outlet shared a post on social media with a threat towards all stadiums hosting quarter-final first legs.

Spanish and French ministers have revealed security will be stepped up with all games going ahead as planned.

Athletico Madrid and PSG will be hosting quarter-final matches tomorrow.

The Metropolitan Police have said they are ‘aware of the threat and that a 'robust policing plan' was in place for Arsenal's match with Bayern Munich this evening.

Are Real Madrid better or worse than the side demolished by Man City last season?

Real Madrid's team news gives me the perfect opportunity to point you in the direction of a piece by Mail Sport's Spanish football expert Pete Jenson.

He runs the rule over Real Madrid's team and whether the LaLiga leaders are in better or worse shape than the side thrashed by Man City last season.

Unsurprisingly Jude Bellingham's arrival has significantly boosted Real Madrid's midfield, but there are still areas of concern for Carlo Ancelotti.

Read more:

REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: Tchouameni partners Rudiger at centre back

Real Madrid have been fast out of the blocks in confirming their starting eleven.

Aurelien Tchouameni looks to be starting at centre back alongside Antonio Rudiger.

Lunin continues in goal with Thibaut Courtois still absent through injury.

Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr will form Real Madrid's attacking trio.

Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Valverde, Kroos; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr.

Don't mention the Treble...

With Man City remaining in the race for the Premier League title and FA Cup glory, the prospect of a double Treble remains a possibility.

Pep Guardiola has been keen to play down talk of a repeat ahead of the latest installment of their Champions League rivalry with Real Madrid.

City got the better of the Spanish giants in 2020 and last season, but Real Madrid emerged as 6-5 winners on aggregate in 2022.

The Spanish giants remarkably scored twice after the 90 minutes to force extra time, before Rodrygo completed a dramatic comeback.

Mail Sport's Jack Gaughan takes a look at the tie ahead:

Real Madrid eye revenge against Man City

Real Madrid and Man City had played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the return fixture proved a different story.

Guardiola's side cruised to a 4-0 win over the 14-time winners to book their place in the final.

Will Man City be able to achieve a repeat this time around as they seek to establish themselves as the dominant force in Europe.

   Eder Militao of Real Madrid & his team-mates look dejected during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Good evening!

The Champions League holders against the record 14-time winners.

It does not get much better than this.

Manchester City's bid for back to back Champions League triumphs face Real Madrid once again.

Pep Guardiola's side brushed aside Real Madrid in last season's semi-finals on their march to a maiden Champions League triumph and a famous Treble.

The teams meet one round earlier this time with Real Madrid out for revenge.

It promises to be a cracker.

Stay with us for all the build-up, action and reaction from the first leg of a blockbuster Champions League quarter-final tie.

 The pitch arch before the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 09, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Key Updates

  • REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: Tchouameni partners Rudiger at centre back

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