UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season

[Byebyebtc]

You are very correct about Madrid not using defensive tactics for their games and I do not hope to see them do that on this one after they had built Confidence already with the first leg where they played a balanced game and still won, I am believing they will use the same or similar tactics to approach this second leg, going for goals and a win.

I expect them to play a bit defensively and count on counter attacks. By bit defensively I don't mean like 9 players staying in their half of the field but somehow most players are few steps behind their usual lines while controlling the ball and pushing forward to score a goal that will literally kill the hope of Manchester City.
Same thing will occur in the other games in my opinion. It depends obviously from the attitude of their opponents.

One thing that will be certain in the second is the fact that Manchester City will be the team that will come all out and try to get an equalizer or score early so that they can easily get a momentum going and hopeful for the comeback of which with the looks of things will be very difficult for them to replicate. Real Madrid will for sure hit them on counter attacks and it would make the game so interesting as the both teams will be offensive in that game.

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

[Ndabagi01]

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

Manchester City have not given up hope yet, they’re going to fight in the second leg so hard that they’ll create a brim of hope to qualify for the Champions League quarterfinals. Real Madrid has already gotten an edge in this game but I think they’ll have to be very careful in this game, they should not feel too confident that they don’t put the best of effort in this game. It’ll surprise them that they gets defeated even though it won’t look that easy as a top team they are in the champions league.

Real Madrid have fast players like Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz, and this could be a problem for Manchester City. For Manchester City, the most important thing right now is to score an early goal in the return match. Therefore, they will attack Real Madrid's goal from the very first minutes. Real Madrid needs to defend well. If they score an early goal, Manchester City will completely fall apart.

An early goal for Real Madrid will demoralize Manchester City and I don’t think that’s what they’ll want to see in this game. Manchester City is already strategizing on how they’ll get a comeback in the second leg of this match and I hope they’re able to show world class performance to make the match even more interesting to watch. An early goal for Manchester City will also demoralize Real Madrid a bit before they’ll fight to get an equalizer or fight to not concede more goals in the game.

[Umulala-alala]

You are very correct about Madrid not using defensive tactics for their games and I do not hope to see them do that on this one after they had built Confidence already with the first leg where they played a balanced game and still won, I am believing they will use the same or similar tactics to approach this second leg, going for goals and a win.

I expect them to play a bit defensively and count on counter attacks. By bit defensively I don't mean like 9 players staying in their half of the field but somehow most players are few steps behind their usual lines while controlling the ball and pushing forward to score a goal that will literally kill the hope of Manchester City.
Same thing will occur in the other games in my opinion. It depends obviously from the attitude of their opponents.

One thing that will be certain in the second is the fact that Manchester City will be the team that will come all out and try to get an equalizer or score early so that they can easily get a momentum going and hopeful for the comeback of which with the looks of things will be very difficult for them to replicate. Real Madrid will for sure hit them on counter attacks and it would make the game so interesting as the both teams will be offensive in that game.

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

If 3 goals can be scored in the first leg it's also possible that Man city can score 3 goals in the second leg to equalize the scoreline making it a total of 3-3 aggregate but from Man city performance this season i don't think they can make a come back in the second leg Real madrid is nkt also a club that can allow such to happen to see that they couldn't qualify after defeating Man city 3-0 in the first leg. If pep is a magician Real madrid also can do incredible things when it comes to be the uefa champions league tie of 16.

[JoyMarsha]

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

Well, we can't say less what both teams have to cook in the second half, but it's not for us to think Manchester City will equalize the 3 goals scored against them by Real Madrid. Real Madrid is not a small team that Manchester City will equalize the 3 goals without Real Madrid managing to score a goal or two, to make the goal difference wider than shortened/equalize. The mistake Manchester City made was to allow Real Madrid to score up to 3 goals against them in the first leg without scoring a single goal.

[GbitG]

You are very correct about Madrid not using defensive tactics for their games and I do not hope to see them do that on this one after they had built Confidence already with the first leg where they played a balanced game and still won, I am believing they will use the same or similar tactics to approach this second leg, going for goals and a win.

Me too bro.....!!!
Real Madrid will also try the same strategy in the second leg like they will try to utilize a fast attacking play to get more lead because and one more goal will completely secure their Quarter final seats. First leg was absolutely bizzar Manchester City did nothing in away leg and now they will play in his home ground but I don't think this hone ground will give them a benefit because they already 3-0 down and probably Real Madrid will try to keep their defensive stances too strong. So maybe Manchester City didn't chase the 3 goal...

Besides that in previous leg I noticed one thing that Real Madrid punish every single mistake of Manchester City. Like all goals was defensive mistake. So Arbeloa exposed the weakness of Pep Guardiola and now Pep should need to work on it otherwise it can cause a big trouble for him.

[IceLincoln]

You are very correct about Madrid not using defensive tactics for their games and I do not hope to see them do that on this one after they had built Confidence already with the first leg where they played a balanced game and still won, I am believing they will use the same or similar tactics to approach this second leg, going for goals and a win.

I expect them to play a bit defensively and count on counter attacks. By bit defensively I don't mean like 9 players staying in their half of the field but somehow most players are few steps behind their usual lines while controlling the ball and pushing forward to score a goal that will literally kill the hope of Manchester City.
Same thing will occur in the other games in my opinion. It depends obviously from the attitude of their opponents.

One thing that will be certain in the second is the fact that Manchester City will be the team that will come all out and try to get an equalizer or score early so that they can easily get a momentum going and hopeful for the comeback of which with the looks of things will be very difficult for them to replicate. Real Madrid will for sure hit them on counter attacks and it would make the game so interesting as the both teams will be offensive in that game.

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

Of course that’ll be expected of Manchester City to come all attack against Madrid and to try to win it or close the gap, it’s not the first time we’ve witnessed this. If there’s one thing this fixture keeps giving us it’s goals and goals.
3:0 comeback is not impossible even for this washed up Pep Guardiola’s Man City side, sometimes they turn up surprisingly. The first leg Real Madrid took them and Us fans by storm and it’ll be expected for Man City to return the favour… Bang for Bang. It’s surely going to be an entertaining match.

[KingsDen]

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

Well, we can't say less what both teams have to cook in the second half, but it's not for us to think Manchester City will equalize the 3 goals scored against them by Real Madrid. Real Madrid is not a small team that Manchester City will equalize the 3 goals without Real Madrid managing to score a goal or two, to make the goal difference wider than shortened/equalize. The mistake Manchester City made was to allow Real Madrid to score up to 3 goals against them in the first leg without scoring a single goal.

Firstly, I acknowledge that this is Champions League that anything can happen including what you think that is impossible. But then I doubt that Manchester City can pull any wonders against Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League fixtures. Remember that Manchester City is not even in their prime, so of recent time they have not pulled that kind of comeback against any big team. Oh so remember that if Real Madrid mistakenly scores one goal in the first half, Manchester City will be looking for four goals which is near impossible in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

Do not also forget that mbappé will return in the second leg which will make it very difficult for Manchester City to pull a come back. What wonders will Pep Guardiola perform that he did not do in the first leg. If this was to be one goal or two goes to nill, there will be hope for three goals, no way.

If anyone is interested, we can go on a bet

[Emjay24]

You are very correct about Madrid not using defensive tactics for their games and I do not hope to see them do that on this one after they had built Confidence already with the first leg where they played a balanced game and still won, I am believing they will use the same or similar tactics to approach this second leg, going for goals and a win.

I expect them to play a bit defensively and count on counter attacks. By bit defensively I don't mean like 9 players staying in their half of the field but somehow most players are few steps behind their usual lines while controlling the ball and pushing forward to score a goal that will literally kill the hope of Manchester City.
Same thing will occur in the other games in my opinion. It depends obviously from the attitude of their opponents.

One thing that will be certain in the second is the fact that Manchester City will be the team that will come all out and try to get an equalizer or score early so that they can easily get a momentum going and hopeful for the comeback of which with the looks of things will be very difficult for them to replicate. Real Madrid will for sure hit them on counter attacks and it would make the game so interesting as the both teams will be offensive in that game.

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

If 3 goals can be scored in the first leg it's also possible that Man city can score 3 goals in the second leg to equalize the scoreline making it a total of 3-3 aggregate but from Man city performance this season i don't think they can make a come back in the second leg Real madrid is nkt also a club that can allow such to happen to see that they couldn't qualify after defeating Man city 3-0 in the first leg. If pep is a magician Real madrid also can do incredible things when it comes to be the uefa champions league tie of 16.

I think Guardiola should just focus on stripping Arsenal of the title and forget about Champions League for this season. I don't think Arbeloa would allow that to happen, although they've a greater chance to get back in the competition than Chelsea against PSG.

Real Madrid isn't in all that good form currently, but they're in a good enough form to eliminate Manchester City on aggregated at Etihad, of City ever comes back and advances to the next round, that would really be a historic achievement which I guess only Juventus attempted to create such in 2018, but were stripped off it by a controversial penalty

[landheer]

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

Yes, in fact, Man City still has a chance to equalize and finally a penalty shootout in the second leg and that's where the determination of who deserves to advance to the last 8 will be made. But yes, if Real Madrid defends, it will certainly make it difficult for Man City to score goals against Real Madrid and finally Real Madrid can win. Coincidentally, in the second leg, Man City will be the host, so the match will definitely be exciting because Man City will definitely not let Real Madrid win and I think Pep Guardiola will definitely make a strategy to attack Real Madrid's defense because that's the only way to score many goals against Real Madrid. Scoring 3 goals is certainly not easy because Real Madrid will definitely not stay silent. It seems like I will bet on that match, will you also bet on that match? 

[Ale88]

Manchester city can actually equalise the match second leg, it's what they can do, there are some clubs that 3-0 difference is like impossible for a come back, but in the situation of Manchester city they can actually come back, except real Madrid is really ready to play a total defensive game, because I think that will be their strategy for the next match to play more of defence.
Meanwhile we can say less and see what the both teams has to cook

Manchester City have not given up hope yet, they’re going to fight in the second leg so hard that they’ll create a brim of hope to qualify for the Champions League quarterfinals. Real Madrid has already gotten an edge in this game but I think they’ll have to be very careful in this game, they should not feel too confident that they don’t put the best of effort in this game. It’ll surprise them that they gets defeated even though it won’t look that easy as a top team they are in the champions league.

Real Madrid have fast players like Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz, and this could be a problem for Manchester City. For Manchester City, the most important thing right now is to score an early goal in the return match. Therefore, they will attack Real Madrid's goal from the very first minutes. Real Madrid needs to defend well. If they score an early goal, Manchester City will completely fall apart.

An early goal for Real Madrid will demoralize Manchester City and I don’t think that’s what they’ll want to see in this game. Manchester City is already strategizing on how they’ll get a comeback in the second leg of this match and I hope they’re able to show world class performance to make the match even more interesting to watch. An early goal for Manchester City will also demoralize Real Madrid a bit before they’ll fight to get an equalizer or fight to not concede more goals in the game.

I really struggle to believe that City will be able to qualify. Maybe I don't have have the best memory but Guardiola's teams have never been great when they had to come back from an heavy defeat. Also, how in the world did Guardiola think it was a good idea to play at the Bernabeu with a 4-1-3-2? Ok, he wants to play offensive, but only one real midfielder and then a bunch of wings and strikers against Real Madrid? I don't get it.

[redhack]

I really struggle to believe that City will be able to qualify. Maybe I don't have have the best memory but Guardiola's teams have never been great when they had to come back from an heavy defeat. Also, how in the world did Guardiola think it was a good idea to play at the Bernabeu with a 4-1-3-2? Ok, he wants to play offensive, but only one real midfielder and then a bunch of wings and strikers against Real Madrid? I don't get it.

Coming back from a 3-goal deficit isn't that difficult for City and Pep, but it's quite a challenge against Real Madrid. If they'd played a bit more cautiously in the first match, this score wouldn't have happened. Despite playing so offensively they couldn't score, which made things harder. It would be interesting if they score early in the second match, but I'm sure Real will play much more defensively.

[SilverCryptoBullet]

Coming back from a 3-goal deficit isn't that difficult for City and Pep, but it's quite a challenge against Real Madrid. If they'd played a bit more cautiously in the first match, this score wouldn't have happened. Despite playing so offensively they couldn't score, which made things harder. It would be interesting if they score early in the second match, but I'm sure Real will play much more defensively.

It's difficult but it is not like impossible as if Real Madrid could win big and make Manchester City collapsing, Manchester City can do the same in a next match. In big matches between big clubs, match situation can change very quickly when star players are able to exploit and take advantage mistakes of opponents quite well. In their best days, they can score goals with all opportunities they have and that can sink the opponent down.

The next match between Manchester City and Real Madrid will be either boring without goal if Real Madrid focus on defense and Manchester City fail to open the match with a goal. It can be a very exciting match with many goals scored by both teams if one of them scoring a first goal in early minutes. Generally, there is chance and hope for Manchester City but it will be very difficult for them to firstly equalize an aggregated result before win against Real Madrid eventually in extra half or penalty shootouts.

[landheer]

The EPL clubs in the first leg performed poorly and no team won. Arsenal, which is the strongest team in the EPL at the moment, was unable to beat Leverkusen even though Arsenal has good strength. But Arsenal certainly still has hope to advance to the last 8 because no matter what, the winner in the second leg will definitely advance to the last 8. Liverpool, who failed to beat Galatasaray in the first leg, in my opinion still has hope to advance to the last 8 because in the first leg Liverpool only conceded 1 goal so there is definitely still a chance for Liverpool to win on condition that they can score many goals in the second leg. In your opinion, which EPL teams will advance to the last 8 or will there be no EPL teams that advance to the last 8? I want to see a team from the EPL advance to the last 8 because it feels less exciting if there is no EPL team that advances to the last 8.

[Dunamisx]

Club performance sometimes do good affected by season as well, this is why you will discover that on a particular season, a unique player was being identified and everyone recognizes such, this will also be a top notch to the team they belong, while also from the opposite direction, it may be that a particular team do not perform as being expected in season, and this could be discouraging when such happens, but that's just the actual fact.

[verdinio]

Guardiola says that the result doesn't reflect the game, but I don't agree with him, because Real Madrid played much better. Maybe they were a bit lucky that their first attacks ended in goals, but City then had the entire second half to score at least a couple of goals to make the return leg easier. They couldn't do it, and Real's defense played very well.

Guardiola can't find an excuse for this defeat, he certainly made some mistakes but Real Madrid were excellent and there's nothing they can do, they were really good and there's no excuse, you accept the defeat and move forward to improve and try to understand where they went wrong.

[changaa]

Because in a game that ended 1–6, why will you expect them to win? Atalanta will not only need a miracle to win, but also charm, which doesn’t work in football. So, I don’t think it’s even useful to debate on a team that we know will not win. To me, I have already seen Bayern Munich in the quarter finals.

Bayern Munich, as you say, is really on another level compared to Atalanta, which by all means is an excellent team but will never be at the level of Bayern which is absolutely of an extreme level, and in fact the outcome was a foregone conclusion, i am sorry that they had these problems and that they drew the first two great German teams.

[Ale88]

I really struggle to believe that City will be able to qualify. Maybe I don't have have the best memory but Guardiola's teams have never been great when they had to come back from an heavy defeat. Also, how in the world did Guardiola think it was a good idea to play at the Bernabeu with a 4-1-3-2? Ok, he wants to play offensive, but only one real midfielder and then a bunch of wings and strikers against Real Madrid? I don't get it.

Coming back from a 3-goal deficit isn't that difficult for City and Pep, but it's quite a challenge against Real Madrid. If they'd played a bit more cautiously in the first match, this score wouldn't have happened. Despite playing so offensively they couldn't score, which made things harder. It would be interesting if they score early in the second match, but I'm sure Real will play much more defensively.

Coming backs are always possible but, just like you said, we're not talking about a random team, we're talking about Real Madrid. I've been very critic about Real Madrid because I really don't like what they've been doing this season with the transfers, the managers, etc etc, but I don't think they can throw away a 3-goal lead. City always suffered a lot playing against Madrid.

[Frankolala]

Because in a game that ended 1–6, why will you expect them to win? Atalanta will not only need a miracle to win, but also charm, which doesn’t work in football. So, I don’t think it’s even useful to debate on a team that we know will not win. To me, I have already seen Bayern Munich in the quarter finals.

Bayern Munich, as you say, is really on another level compared to Atalanta, which by all means is an excellent team but will never be at the level of Bayern which is absolutely of an extreme level, and in fact the outcome was a foregone conclusion, i am sorry that they had these problems and that they drew the first two great German teams.

I don't know why you said Atalanta is an excellent team and they ain't topping their domestic league after several setbacks this season. Atalanta is an average team and isn't yet in the position to be called excellent if not, they will win Bayern. It's Bayern that you should call an excellent team because they're extraordinary in their performance. Look at how they trashed Atalanta in the first leg.

[Die_empty]

Guardiola can't find an excuse for this defeat, he certainly made some mistakes but Real Madrid were excellent and there's nothing they can do, they were really good and there's no excuse, you accept the defeat and move forward to improve and try to understand where they went wrong.

Manchester City has not been outstanding this season, so the loss against Real Madrid was expected. However, the expectations among football fans were that it would be a competitive game that might end with one goal victory.  Three goal lead will be hard to overturn considering the quality of Real Madrid. Álvaro Arbeloa is gradually doing his best to stabilise the club. Pep Guardiola is sound tactically but qualifying for the UCL quarterfinal is now looking like an impossible task.

For now, Manchester City's focus is on West Ham. Pep said that City's dream of winning the Premier League will be over if they lose the game in London Stadium today. For a club that has spent so much this season on players, not winning a major trophy will be a setback.

[Futurexxx]

I don't know why you said Atalanta is an excellent team and they ain't topping their domestic league after several setbacks this season. Atalanta is an average team and isn't yet in the position to be called excellent if not, they will win Bayern. It's Bayern that you should call an excellent team because they're extraordinary in their performance. Look at how they trashed Atalanta in the first leg.

Atalanta is no different from Tottenham Hotspur if we are talking about level, because their is no time you will see them mount a serious title challenge aside qualifying for the uefa champions league, so they are not as excellent as he is saying, though I equally don't think that they are average because I believe that they are a bit above average in level, but regardless of what so ever, their performance against Bayern was really really bad. How could they lose 6-1 to Bayern Munich on their own turf?
Because am just imagining how it's going to be at the alliance arena since they were this poor on their own ground, but I do believe that the tie is practically over. 6-1 scoreline is not what can be easily overturned.