Does Mbappé play today? Where to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City today in the Champions League

Real Madrid hosts Manchester City at Santiago Bernabéu this Wednesday, December 10, 2025, for the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The clash, scheduled for 8pm (Madri local time), puts two European powers face to face at different times: the Merengues are looking to recover after a recent defeat in the La Liga, while the citizens aim to consolidate their position in the table. The absence of Kylian Mbappé as a starter, due to muscle discomfort in his left leg, changes coach Xabi Alonso’s planning and opens up space for the young Gonzalo García at the front of the attack.

The game takes on an urgent tone for Real Madrid, which occupies sixth place with 12 points in five matches, the result of four wins and one defeat. Manchester City, in ninth place with 10 points, comes from a setback in the last European round, but reacts well in the Campeonato Inglês, with three consecutive victories. Arbitrado for the Frenchman Clément Turpin, the duel promises balance, considering the history of intense confrontations between the teams.

The confirmed Real Madrid lineup adopts 4-2-3-1, with Thibaut Courtois in goal and Federico Valverde improvised on the right flank. In the middle, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dani Ceballos anchor the marking, while Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo support Vinícius Júnior at the ends. Gonzalo García, 16 years old, takes over as center forward, making his debut as a starter in the competition.

On the visiting side, Pep Guardiola opts for 4-3-3, with Gianluigi Donnarumma protecting the arc and Matheus Nunes on the right flank. Bernardo Silva sets the pace in midfield alongside Nico González and Tijjani Reijnders, with Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Jérémy Doku feeding Erling Haaland up front.

Lineups and absences mark preparation

Team confirmations reveal adaptations forced by injuries to Real Madrid. Thibaut Courtois returns to goal after a good recent performance, but the defense suffers with seven absences: Éder Militão, David Alaba, Daniel Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, Raúl Asencio and Álvaro Carreras continue in defense alongside Antonio Rüdiger.

In attack, the loss of Mbappé, Champions’s top scorer with nine goals in five games, weighs more. The Frenchman, who scored four times against Olympiacos in the previous round, trains separately and could enter the second half, depending on a medical assessment. Gonzalo García, promoted from the base, assumes initial responsibility, with support from Brahim Díaz and Arda Güler on the bench.

• Main substitutes in Real: Fran García (full-back), Joan Martínez (defender) and Víctor Valdepeñas (defender).
• Impact options: Endrick and Franco Mastantuono await chances.

Manchester City, in turn, has a more complete squad, with only Rodri and John Stones out due to long-term injuries. Rúben Dias and Joško Haaland, with 15 goals in Premier League, leads the attack alongside Foden, in good form with five goals in the last games.

History of duels reveals tight balance

There have been 15 editions of clashes between Real Madrid and Manchester City since 2012, with five wins for each side and five draws. The Whites have the advantage in the Bernabéu, where they have won four of their seven games, including 3-1 last season.

In the last edition, Real advanced to the round of 16 with 6-3 on aggregate, thanks to Mbappé’s hat-trick at Bernabéu. The citizens, however, respond well in knockout matches, with a historic triumph in 2022. Este year, eight of the ten recent duels surpassed 2.5 goals, indicating a tendency towards open games.

Real Madrid remain unbeaten at home in the group stage, with 13 wins in their last 14 European games at the stadium. The City, unbeaten in six of their last eight European trips, are looking for their first win at the Bernabéu since 2020.

The average number of cards at the whistle of Turpin is 3.38 per match, with 0.19 for the Whites at home. Posse of the ball should fall to the visitors, who lead with 62% in the UCL.

Tactical strategies define the balance

Xabi Alonso prioritizes defensive solidity in the 4-2-3-1, with Tchouaméni and Ceballos protecting the improvised defense. Bellingham advances as a false 9 in moments of pressure, while Vinícius exploits speed on the left against Nunes. Sem Mbappé, the focus is on quick transitions, with Rodrygo cutting inwards.

Guardiola bets on ball control in the 4-3-3, with Bernardo Silva and Reijnders dictating progressive passes. Foden and Doku open spaces for Haaland, who has already scored in four of the five European games. The high defense puts pressure on Courtois, exploiting mistakes when the Merengue ball comes out.

Real Madrid have generated 14 clear chances in their last two home games, but have converted just 40%. City, with 18 shots per match in the UCL, converts 55% of the opportunities created.

Featured players guide expectations

Vinícius Júnior, with four assists in Champions, faces Gvardiol in a direct duel on the left wing. The Brazilian dribbled past 72% of markers this season, but the Croatian won 65% of aerial duels.

Jude Bellingham, occasional captain, has three goals and two assists in the UCL, playing as a pivot in the middle. Contra o City, he will face Bernardo Silva, who completed 92% of his passes in recent games.

Erling Haaland represents a constant threat, averaging 1.15 goals per game in Premier League. The Norwegian will test Rüdiger, who blocked 22 shots in La Liga.

Phil Foden, on the rise, has scored in three of the last five games and could debut as a European starter, challenging Ceballos in creation.

• Statistical highlights: Mbappé has seven goals in duels against City; Haaland, 54 at Champions since 2019.
• Decisive banks: Arda Güler and Jeremy Doku as speed options.

Pressure on coaches shapes the confrontation

Xabi Alonso takes over Real Madrid at a delicate moment, with just two wins in the last seven games in all competitions. The 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo at the weekend exposed defensive weaknesses, and the coach advocates unity in the group to reverse the tide.

Pep Guardiola, stable at City, manages deep squad after European setback to Bayer Leverkusen. The citizens respond with domestic victories, and the Spaniard sees the game as a chance to break the negative streak against the Merengues.

Alonso, a former Bayern player under Guardiola, emphasizes collective preparation. City, with an average possession of 65% in the UCL, seeks to impose pace from the opening whistle.

Transmission and impact on the table

The match will be broadcast live on channels including TNT Sports and HBO Max on Europa, with global options via UEFA.tv. No Brasil, SporTV covers the event from 7pm (Brasília time), equivalent to 8pm local time in Madri.

A victory puts Real Madrid in the fight for the top 8, guaranteeing a direct place in the round of 16. Empate or defeat complicates the citizens’ campaign, who need points for safe playoffs.

Los Merengues have won four of their last five at home in the UCL, while City have lost six of their 12 recent European games. The home factor weighs heavily, but injuries balance the forces.

The clash reinforces the rivalry, with 48 goals in the last 10 duels. Alonso projects full intensity, while Guardiola warns of tactical traps.