Real Madrid and Manchester City are poised for another high-stakes clash on Wednesday night as the Champions League league phase continues, bringing together two of Europe’s perennial heavyweights at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The meeting arrives at a delicate moment for Los Blancos, whose strong continental form contrasts sharply with the turbulence surrounding their domestic campaign and growing list of absentees.
Xabi Alonso’s side have collected 12 points from their opening five fixtures in the 2025-26 Champions League, a tally that keeps them firmly on course for the next round.
Their most recent European outing, a breathless 4-3 victory over Olympiacos, showcased both their attacking brilliance and defensive instability.
Kylian Mbappe single-handedly bailed his team out with a remarkable four-goal haul, offering a timely reminder of his match-winning pedigree.
Despite their Champions League momentum, Real Madrid and Manchester City match is always unpredictable. The Spanish team enter the encounter sitting fifth in the expanded 36-team standings, with three league-phase games remaining. That standing should inspire confidence, yet the mood in Madrid has been tempered by renewed scrutiny on Alonso’s position.
The former Liverpool midfielder is once again fielding questions about his future after his side fell 2-0 to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday, a result that exposed frailties and triggered further concern ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
The defeat also came at a significant physical cost, deepening an already worrying injury situation that threatens to undermine Real’s preparations for the visit of Manchester City.
Militao and other top players out of Manchester City contest
Real Madrid’s defensive ranks suffered another blow in Sunday’s loss, as Eder Militao was forced off with what is suspected to be a hamstring injury.
The Brazilian centre-back endured a difficult first half before signalling the issue, and while medical tests are still ongoing, the club are adamant that he will not recover in time for Wednesday’s showdown.
Even without a formal diagnosis, the message from within the camp is unequivocal: there is “no chance he will be fit for Man City.”
Militao’s setback extends a frustrating run of fitness problems for Alonso, who is already navigating the long-term absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The England international, a high-profile summer acquisition, remains sidelined by a serious thigh injury and is not expected to return to action until February.
His anticipated reunion with familiar Premier League opposition will therefore have to wait, leaving Real short of options in the right-sided defensive role that he was brought in to reinvent.
Dean Huijsen’s situation adds another layer of uncertainty. The versatile defender has missed Real’s last four matches with a muscle strain. While the issue has been described internally as “not a severe one,” the timing is far from ideal.
The quick turnaround between fixtures means Huijsen is widely considered a major doubt for the City encounter, with coaching staff hesitant to take risks given the intensity of the upcoming schedule.
Further complicating Real’s backline dilemma is the unavailability of Dani Carvajal. The veteran full-back recently underwent knee surgery, bringing his year to a premature end.
His absence strips Alonso of one of his most experienced defenders—precisely the kind of presence that could prove invaluable against a City side renowned for stretching opponents and exploiting the smallest defensive lapses.
David Alaba was also missing for the fifth consecutive match over the weekend, struggling with a muscular strain that has so far resisted attempts at a quick recovery.
The Austrian’s status remains touch-and-go, leaving Real unsure whether he will be able to take part against Pep Guardiola’s team.
With Militao out and Carvajal absent long-term, Alaba’s availability could be crucial, but the coaching staff remain cautious about rushing him back into a fixture of such intensity.
Ferland Mendy’s situation adds a further complication. The French left-back has featured only once this season due to a pair of hamstring issues, and there has been no clear update on when he might return.
His recurring absences have disrupted Real’s continuity on the left flank, and with competition fierce and fixtures piling up, his prolonged layoff is becoming increasingly problematic.
The accumulation of defensive injuries leaves Alonso facing limited defensive options at a time when tactical cohesion and stability are essential.
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With Real Madrid and Manchester City matches always full of attacking structure and relentless tempo, Real’s reshuffled backline will need to perform with minimal preparation time, heightening the pressure on those selected to step in.
Suspensions and looming disciplinary risks
While Real Madrid do not have any players suspended for the Champions League tie, the disciplinary fallout from the defeat to Celta Vigo will still have consequences—albeit in La Liga.
Alvaro Carreras, Endrick and Fran Garcia were all shown red cards in Sunday’s fixture, but because their dismissals occurred in domestic competition, their bans will not affect European availability.
This means Alonso retains several valuable squad members for the continental test, although caution will be required in managing minutes and emotions after a contentious league match that saw tempers flare and frustrations rise.
However, one disciplinary element could yet play a decisive role on Wednesday. Carreras, who has become an increasingly influential figure on the left side, is just one booking away from a Champions League suspension.
The defender must tread carefully on Wednesday, with another yellow card set to rule him out of Real’s subsequent European fixture.