Key players could be missing from both Manchester City and Real Madrid as the two teams battle it out in the Champions’ League last 16 this evening.

The teams are no strangers to one another, having faced each other in the knockouts of this competition five times in the last six years.

The home side have had their share of struggles this season, with Xabi Alonso getting the sack in January after disappointing results.

Interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa has steadied the ship since coming in, but with two defeats in their last five along with multiple key players out with injuries, it looks to be a tougher period for the 15-time European champions.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are unbeaten since their surprise defeat away to Bodø/Glimt on January 20. Pep Guardiola’s side remain in pursuit of Arsenal in the Premier League title race but dropped points last week in a draw with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.

Injury concerns for the hosts

Real Madrid are struggling with injuries, with key players like Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham out – as well as Rodrygo, who is confirmed to be out for the rest of the season.

Kiyan Sobhani from the Managing Madrid podcast works closely with Real Madrid. In the latest episode of the podcast, he talks about the struggles of their injuries.

“Camavinga should be good to go [as he has been out with a toothache]. Carreras is out. Ceballos is out and Militao is obviously out. Those [along with Mbappe, Bellingham and Rodrygo] are the main players who are not playing,” Sobhani said.

He added: “To make matters worse, we also have two or three key players that are one yellow card away from suspension. Vinicius, Tchouameni and Dean Huijsen. He [Huijsen] may or may not start.

“I think the best-case scenario for us is to somehow survive the first leg, not having to trail in the second leg, and hope for key players to come back in the second leg. That’s how we can win the second tie,” Sobhani said in the podcast.

Expecting a tough game

Owen McColgan from The City Ramble Podcast is expecting a tough game tonight, knowing the history between the two clubs in this competition.

“We have played them five years on the bounce, and it has been a mixed bag of results every time,” he said. “It’s a massive game for us – for the progression of not just the Champions League, but our season in general.”

City beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu when the two met in the league phase of the competition, with Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland getting on the scoresheet.

McColgan think we could see something similar tonight.

“I am going with a City win tonight. I think it will be a close game, and I don’t think it will be comfortable. I think it could be 2-1 like we saw earlier in the season.”

Key battles

McColgan believes the wide areas could play a decisive role in the match, particularly given Madrid’s injury concerns in defence.

“I think the flanks will be important today,” he said. “It looks like they will be weaker at full-back and if you get players like Doku, Semenyo and Marmoush running at them – those explosive players – that can make a big difference.”

He also pointed to an individual battle that could shape the game.

“A big battle will be Vinícius and Matheus Nunes, and we will see what happens there,” McColgan said.

“There are a few Madrid players who are a booking away from missing the second leg, and if there is one player who knows how to get a booking against someone it’s Bernardo Silva. He’s very good at winning those cheap fouls.”

McColgan believes several City players could have a decisive impact on the game.

“A player who could make a difference is Semenyo. At the moment he finds a way to score from everything,” he said.

“And I think Phil Foden always has that moment in him.”

Sobhani also expects Manchester City to target one of Madrid’s most dangerous players.

“You just know that Manchester City are going to try to get under Vinicius’ skin and try to get him booked,” he said. “With the injuries we already have, we have all these things going against us.”

Haaland fitness question

Erling Haaland was left out of the squad that faced Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter final this weekend after picking up an injury during training last week but is part of the squad that travelled to Madrid.

McColgan believes Guardiola should be cautious.

“I don’t think it would be sensible to start him. It’s an unnecessary risk when we are coming into the business end of the season. City have enough strength and depth in the attacking area,” said McColgan.

He added: “We have never really seen Haaland show up in these bigger matches – especially against Madrid, so why risk it?”