Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

It is now a "massive ask" for Manchester City to turn their Champions League paly-off tie around in Madrid, says former England winger Chris Waddle.

Pep Guardiola's side suffered a late 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League play-off to reach the last-16.

They will now head to the Bernabeu next Wednesday having to overturn the one-goal deficit.

"With Manchester City, I think it is fatigue. The players are running on empty. At this level, playing against a team like Real Madrid, it is tough," Waddle told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The second half, they dropped the pace and Madrid were getting in more often and making more and more chances.

"You feel for Pep Guardiola now. Every game he tries to put his best team out but someone limps off or they are unavailable the next week.

"He has lost players tonight, will they be fit for the return leg? Doubt it. He will have to go to Madrid with a different game plan.

"It is a big ask for Man City now.

"Looking at the players, a little bit of confidence has gone and they were running on empty at times. It is a massive ask to turn it around out there.

"They will get chances, they are a quality side, but can they keep Real Madrid out at the other end? I don't think so."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Amazon Prime: "Many times it happen this season.

"I know the the quality of Real Madrid. We took the game in the second half and tried to attack too quick. It happens because they [Real Madrid] are an exceptional team.

"It happens many times this season. Bad decisions, that's all. I take it. It's not about you and me, it's everyone. Yeah, that is all season [injuries], but we know it."

On if Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji will be fit for the second leg: "I don't know."

On the second leg: "Of course now it's tough. We have to recover. I think now about Newcastle and then go to the Bernabeu."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City defender John Stones, speaking on Amazon Prime: "A few games after the Arsenal one, I don't know how to put it into words straight away, it's so raw and frustrating for everyone.

"We were in the game until so late and then it's two situations that happen and we concede. It's frustrating as a defender to come away with that result.

"It's a feeling of anger and frustration.

"We need to see games out better. The manager said we need to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, I think we do that. We need to step up when these bad moments happen.

"Today we had a great opportunity to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead. It's not done. We have to stay positive, which is difficult now.

"As the manager says we need to look at ourselves and take accountability.

"We were right on top at the start of the game and we know Real have quality to come out in the second half. It is avoidable from us as the eleven on the pitch. We have to do better - it's as simple as that.

"We have to keep a positive mentality and try to put it right."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have failed to win any of their past four Champions League games in which they have scored first, with all of those coming this season (1-4 v Sporting CP, 3-3 v Feyenoord, 2-4 v PSG, 2-3 v Real Madrid).

They have also conceded 57 goals in 38 games in all competitions this season - three more than they did in 59 games last campaign. Only in 2016-17 (60) have they conceded more in a season under Pep Guardiola.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Man City's performance

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Tuesday's Champions League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brest v Paris St-Germain - 17:45

• Man City v Real Madrid

• Juventus v PSV Eindhoven

• Sporting v Borussia Dortmund

All kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

In a Football Daily special, Copa90 documentary maker Eli Mengem goes on a journey to understand Vincent Kompany's remarkable rise to his current job as Bayern Munich manager.

In the episode, Mengem analyses his youth, playing career and early steps in management, speaking to the former Manchester City captain's former team-mate Kyle Walker, ex-manager Hugo Broos and others along the way.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

With Manchester City and Real Madrid set to face each other in the Champions League once again - this time in a play-off to reach the knockout stage - we have picked out some of their key stats from the the League Phase.

• Manchester City took 148 shots – only Bayern Munich (185) and PSG (149) took more.

• Pep Guardiola's side conceded 14 goals – only Feyenoord (21) conceded more among teams that reached the knock-out stage

• Real Madrid faced 115 shots – only Feyenoord (125) faced more among teams that reached the knock-out stage (City faced 88)

• The La Liga giants had the worst defence among teams that reached the knock-out stage in terms of expected goals (15.1 xG against) - but overperformed slightly, conceding 12 goals (City's xGA was 11.2, conceded 14)

Image source, Getty Images

Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about Manchester City's Champions League tie against Real Madrid: "These are two teams who, at the moment, if they described their seasons, they would be talking about their problems. They're not 'stable', I think that was the word used by Pep Guardiola yesterday.

"I think it will be one of those spectacles that will be a lot to do with the quality but even more, because of the way the season is going, on their mistakes and their problems."

Ex-City midfielder Michael Brown: "City have to try to have a go at it. You've got to get into the wider areas and use some pace, and maybe be a little bit more direct into Erling Haaland. If City just sit there and be too patient, they've got that attack and the counter is going to be very quick.

"It's one of those games when you turn up and start watching the two managers, the players, the whole atmosphere - these are special, special nights to be involved with.

"If City can take a lead into the reverse game, that would be fantastic. I'd take 2-1, you do expect Madrid to get a goal with the way City have been conceding."

Listen to the full programme on BBC Sounds and listen to live commentary of the match on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 GMT

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne has been directly involved in eight goals in eight Champions League appearances against Real Madrid (four goals, four assists).

It is the joint most by any player in the competition's history (also eight by Giovane Elber) and he is also the only player to score and assist in a Champions League game against Real on multiple occasions (February 2020 and April 2022).

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Some 22 minutes is all we needed to find out that Nico Gonzalez is everything Manchester City have possibly been looking for when it comes to a capable stand-in for Rodri, and a player who can continue to hold a starting place upon the Ballon d'Or winner's return.

Thrust straight into the action in the heat of an FA Cup battle with Leyton Orient at an atmospheric Brisbane Road, the 23-year-old showed composure, physicality, an eye for a forward pass and an outstanding positional awareness at the base of City's midfield trio.

Pep Guardiola has already said he views the former Barcelona midfielder as a versatile option capable of operating as a deep-lying anchor, the link between defence and attack, and even as a forward-thinking playmaker.

One pass from the base of City's midfield lofted over the top of an Orient defensive line camped in and around their own penalty area, right into the feet of Savinho running in behind, was everything Guardiola's side have been missing in Rodri's absence.

When faced with a low block, City have become increasingly predictable and been desperately needing a player who can unlock a defence.

And perhaps a player born into the La Masia blueprint and an ideology mastered by Guardiola is the answer to a large share of the club's problems during the first half of the season.

In Gonzalez, the Premier League champions have found a name that has given the rest of their entire season some hope and a clearer route to silverware, a top-four finish - and perhaps even extended progression in the Champions League.

It will not only bring a smile to the face of Guardiola and Manchester City supporters, but also to Rodri, who has been crying out for capable support since his emergence as the mainstay defensive midfield star.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says it is a "nightmare" preparing to face a Pep Guardiola team because the Spaniard has "ideas that make you think".

Manchester City and Real will rekindle their modern rivalry later on Tuesday with the first leg of their Champions League play-off at Etihad Stadium.

The two sides will be meeting for the fourth time in four seasons - becoming just the fourth fixture to reach that milestone.

"It seems like it's a Clasico because we have played each other a lot of times in this competition," Ancelotti said.

"It will be a difficult game, hard to predict. It will depend a lot on the attitude and confidence of the teams. It's such a high-level game you have to be your best at every aspect.

"They are one of the best teams in Europe and they have the best manager out there so I think it's the most difficult game we can face - regardless of form."

The draw for the FA Cup fifth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

Games will be played over the first weekend of March.

• Aston Villa v Cardiff City

• Crystal Palace/Doncaster v Millwall

• Man Utd v Fulham

• Newcastle v Brighton

• Bournemouth v Wolves

• Man City v Plymouth

• Exeter/Nottingham Forest v Ipswich

See the full draw

Is there something you want to ask about a Premier League club?

Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha is ready to answer your burning questions and give his thoughts on some of the biggest talking points for a special Q&A.

Submit your questions here and come back on Thursday for his answers

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nico Gonzalez, Ederson, Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku are all training before Manchester City's Champions League encounter with Real Madrid.

Ederson, Ake and Doku have all missed recent games through injury.

Gonzalez had been a doubt after being substituted in the first half of Saturday's FA Cup win at Leyton Orient.

Oscar Bobb was not training.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias says other players must "step up" after captain Kyler Walker's exit in January.

Walker joined AC Milan after winning six Premier League titles at City under Pep Guardiola, having joined the club from Tottenham in 2017 in a £50m deal.

"He was a big personality, especially at times like this," Dias said before Tuesday's play-off round first leg against Real Madrid.

"He was always one to show up, show his face and be there for the team.

"He was a player we all relied on. He's not here now, so it's time for another one to step up."

Walker's pace has helped him perform impressively against Madrid forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe in the past, but Dias believes City have options to cope.

"We don't know who's going to play [on Tuesday] but we have options to replace Walker, he added.

"But it's the collective that will make the difference and we don't focus on any individual player of our opponent.

"We know they have the special ability to be more flexible maybe than most other teams.

"The more solid we can be, the more comfortable we will be in the game."