Ancelotti: 'Pep is right' about fixture congestion when balancing UCL and domestic duties
Manchester City face what could be the defining 5️⃣ moment in not just their season, but their recent history when they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League 5️⃣ semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
City were knocked out by Los Blancos in heartbreaking fashion at the same stage of the 5️⃣ competition last year, but with revenge on their mind and the second leg at home, can Pep Guardiola's men make 5️⃣ it through to another final, having lost to Chelsea in 2024?
The first leg at the Bernabeu ended 1-1 after stunning 5️⃣ strikes from Vinicius Jr and Kevin de Bruyne, leaving it beautifully poised for Wednesday's showdown at the Etihad.
The Champions League 5️⃣ final will be held at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on Saturday 10 June.
Here is all you need to 5️⃣ know ahead of the much-anticipated second leg in Manchester...
When is Manchester City v Real Madrid?
The second leg of the Champions 5️⃣ League semi-final between Manchester City v Real Madrid kicks off at 20:00 UK time on Wednesday, May 17.
Which TV channel 5️⃣ is Manchester City v Real Madrid on?
The game between Manchester City v Real Madrid will be shown on BT Sport 5️⃣ 1 and BT Sport Ultimate in the UK. You can see the latest BT Sport listings here
How to watch a 5️⃣ live stream of Manchester City v Real Madrid?
You can watch a live stream of the match in the UK via 5️⃣ the BT Sport website or app.
How to follow Manchester City v Real Madrid via live updates?
We will be hosting live 5️⃣ text coverage of the match, and all the key Champions League clashes, via eurosport.co.uk and eurosport
Is this City's time?
There's no 5️⃣ question Manchester City have been one of the most consistent teams in the Champions League of recent times, having reached 5️⃣ the quarter-finals or better every year since 2024.
But the trophy itself is still proving elusive, with their final loss to 5️⃣ Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea in 2024 the nearest they have come.
Beating the competition's kings Real Madrid will surely require a big 5️⃣ display from Erling Haaland, and Guardiola is hoping his star forward will have an impact after he was kept quiet 5️⃣ by Antonio Rudiger in the first leg in Spain.
“Congratulations to Rudiger," the City boss said. "For Erling, we cannot forget, 5️⃣ at 22 years old it is the first time he has played in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
“If the 5️⃣ team can play a little bit better in some departments that we are thinking for Wednesday, maybe it will be 5️⃣ easier for him."
Guardiola says 'it's a dream come true' being at Man City after Everton win
Both managers have lambasted the 5️⃣ fixture calendar for - in their eyes - shortening their team's ideal preparation windows for the tie.
Guardiola seemed frustrated that 5️⃣ City played Everton on Sunday rather than Saturday, which wasn't possible as Eurovision was being held in Liverpool
Real boss Carlo 5️⃣ Ancelotti said: "Guardiola has complained about the calendar, which, as we have said many times, is too tight.
"In the first 5️⃣ leg we had to play with less rest and now it’s their turn. The calendar is not the right one…that’s 5️⃣ it, that’s my point of view, there are too many games in a short space of time.
