Portuguese midfielder The match takes place at Estádio Santiago Bernabéu, at Madri, Espanha, starting at 5pm local time. Nunes, aged 27, is experiencing the best moment of his career since transferring to City in 2023, and his hybrid positioning can influence the tactical balance against the Merengue attack.
Played by Pep Guardiola, Nunes assumes a crucial defensive role, especially in marking Vinícius Júnior. The game defines positions in the table, with Real Madrid in sixth place and Manchester City in 12th place. The live broadcast takes place on TNT Sports, HBO Max and SBT on Brasil, starting at 5pm.
Nunes played 33 games this season, with three goals and two assists in various competitions. Sua versatility, praised by Guardiola as “one of the best in the world” in 2022, is now highlighted.
- Nunes’s recent stats: 7.4 average rating on Sofascore, focusing on tackles and progressive passes.
- Expected impact: Capacidade to carry the ball in quick transitions against the Real defense.
- Game context: City seeks reaction after defeat to Bayer Leverkusen; Madrid comes from a victory over Olympiacos.
Initial trajectory and consolidation at Sporting
Matheus Nunes began his professional career at Estoril, in 2018, playing mainly for the reserve team. Sua transfer to Sporting CP, in January 2019, marked the beginning of a rapid rise in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
At Sporting,
In February 2022, despite a 5–0 defeat to Manchester City in Champions League, Guardiola publicly praised Nunes, calling him “one of the best players in the world”. Esse moment boosts your international reputation.
Confirmed lineup and absences at City
Manchester City lines up with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, followed by Nunes on the right, Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol in the center, and Nico O’Reilly on the left. In the middle, Nico González anchors, with Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland in front.
Absences include Rodri, injured a year and a half ago, and Mateo Kovačić, with an ankle problem. Kalvin Phillips remains out for registration reasons. Essas casualties force Nunes into greater defensive responsibility.
The Real Madrid, trained by Xabi Alonso, scales Thibaut Courtois; Federico Valverde, Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, Álex Carreras; Dani Ceballos, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Gonzalo García and Vinícius Júnior. Kylian Mbappé starts on the bench due to discomfort.
Alonso faces pressure after irregular form, but focuses on team unity. The referee is Clément Turpin, with an average of 3.38 cards per game in the competition.
Impressive numbers at Premier League
Since arriving at Wolverhampton in 2022, for 45 million euros, Nunes has adapted to English football efficiently. In the 2023/2024 season, he played 25 games for Wolves, with an 85% pass success rate and an average of 2.1 tackles per game.
By transferring it to Manchester City, in September 2023, for a similar amount, Nunes increased its performance. Na Premier League 2024/2025, he scored his first goal for the club in April 2025, a 94th-minute winner against Aston Villa, in a 2-1 victory.
Their data shows progress in aerial duels, with 60% success, and in interceptions, totaling 18 in the league. Essa consistency reinforces its usefulness in Guardiola flexible tactical schemes.
Nunes also shone in EFL Cup, scoring the decisive goal in September 2024 against Watford. Esses achievements consolidate its average of 7.5 in Sofascore’s ratings for the period.
First goal in Champions and European peak
Nunes’s first goal in Liga’s Campeões came in October 2024, from a penalty against Sparta Praga, in a 5-0 victory for City. Além of the goal, he distributed two assists, reaching a rating of 8.2 in the game.
This performance reflects his prime, peak period between 2024 and 2025, with 10 direct participation in goals in European competitions. Pela Portuguese national team, he has played 15 games since 2022, including Eurocopa.
In 2025, Nunes joined the FIFA Club World Cup squad, with an average rating of 7.7 in four matches. Sua ability to play as a right-back, improvised position, adds 1.8 tackles per 90 minutes to offensive data.
Guardiola has highlighted this adaptation in recent interviews, noting the “character” of Nunes after initial mistakes. Esses numbers position him as a key player for City in knockouts.
Tactical impact of Nunes in the duel
Nunes operates in a 4-1-4-1 of City, allowing him to advance to overload the opposition midfield. Sua’s 64% average possession rate contrasts with Madrid’s quick counterattacks, led by Vinícius.
In direct duels, Nunes won 55% against fast wingers in Premier League, a vital number against the Brazilian. Guardiola plans “inversions” in the build-up, with Nunes coming in as a fifth midfielder.
Data from Sofascore indicates that Nunes creates 1.2 chances per match, boosting Haaland. Contra o Real, their H2H record shows balance, with City winning three of the last five clashes.
This dynamic can set the pace, especially with City two points off the top at Premier League after 3-0 at Sunderland.
Preparation and recent history of teams
Real Madrid comes from a 4-3 victory over Olympiacos, but with an exposed defense, conceding 2.1 goals per game at home in Champions. Madrid has 12 points, needing a victory to advance.
Manchester City, after a 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, reacted with three consecutive victories in the league. With 10 points, the team is looking to turn around the European table.
In H2H, the teams met twice last season, with Real advancing 3-1 on aggregate in February 2025. Nunes did not score in those games, but assisted once.
Factors such as City’s 64% possession and shots on goal (six in the last match) suggest dominance, but Madrid exploits errors in transitions.
Expectations and broadcast for Brazilian fans
The match attracts global attention, with odds favoring City at 2.15 for a win, against 3.20 for Real and 4.00 for a draw. Apostas in both goals circulates as a trend, given the average of 3.5 goals in H2H.
On Brasil, TNT broadcasts from 5pm, with options on HBO Max and SBT. Horário location at Madri is 5pm; at Brasil, adjusts to 1pm at Brasília.
Polls from the Sofascore community predict a 52% chance for City, driven by Nunes and Haaland. The game can change trajectories in the group stage.
