Rodri plays today? Where to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the Champions League today By Carolina Costa
4 min read
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Manchester City faces Real Madrid this Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The match takes place at Estádio Santiago Bernabéu, at Madri, Espanha, starting at 5pm at Brasília time.
Rodri will not play today due to an injury to his hamstring, which has sidelined him for more than a month. The Spaniard, an essential midfield pivot, was replaced by Tijjani Reijnders in the confirmed lineup.
Pep Guardiola seeks victory to improve City’s position in the table, while Xabi Alonso commands Real under defensive pressure.
- Manchester City occupies 12th place with 10 points.
- Real Madrid is in sixth with 12 points.
- Recent clashes total six victories for each side.
Rodri injury persists and affects tactical balance
Rodri suffered the injury in October, during a match against Brentford, and has played just one minute since then. Exames indicate recovery in a few weeks, but today’s game is left out.
This loss is added to absences such as John Stones and Mateo Kovačić, forcing Guardiola to improvise in the sector. The coach highlighted the importance of the Spaniard in a recent press conference, calling him irreplaceable.
City has recorded three consecutive wins in Premier League without him, but Champions requires more stability.
Reijnders takes over the marking, focusing on long passes to connect defense and attack.
Confirmed lineup reveals adjustments to City
Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal for Manchester City in a 4-3-3 formation, with Matheus Nunes on the right flank. Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol form the central defense, and Nico O’Reilly closes down the left.
In between, Bernardo Silva, Nico González, and Tijjani Reijnders anchor the game, replacing Rodri. Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland lead the attack, with Jeremy Doku at the tip.
Guardiola tested the line in training, prioritizing ball possession above 60%. Savinho stays on the bench for quick entries.
Real responds with Thibaut Courtois in the arc, Federico Valverde improvised in defense and Jude Bellingham in the middle.
Where to watch the European classic live
The broadcast takes place on TNT for Brazilian subscribers, with a signal starting at 4:30 pm. HBO Max allows streaming via the app or web.
On Estados Unidos, Paramount+ covers the game, while DAZN broadcasts on América Latina. UEFA offers official options on digital platforms.
Coverage includes real-time statistics such as possession and shots on goal.
ESPN Radio provides audio narration for alternative access.
Real defense deals with multiple casualties
Real Madrid improvises with the absences of Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, forcing Raúl Asencio alongside Antonio Rüdiger. Álvaro Carreras covers the left side.
Xabi Alonso emphasized compression in preparatory sessions, aiming to neutralize City’s attack. The team won three at home in the competition.
Fast transitions exploit speeds of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.
The fans fill the Bernabéu, creating pressure on the visitors.
City attack depends on Haaland without Rodri
Erling Haaland has nine goals in Champions, converting 62% of shots. The Norwegian scores in four of the five rounds.
Phil Foden contributed four assists, connecting plays. Sem Rodri, the midfielder loses balance, but Bernardo Silva takes over with 85% pass accuracy.
City scored 10 goals in the phase, but conceded eight, adjusting outputs.
Guardiola plans high initial pressure to force mistakes.
History of confrontations keeps the rivalry alive
The teams duel for the 15th time in Champions, with six wins each and two draws. The last one, in February, ended 3-1 for Real in Madri.
The Spanish have won four of seven games in the Bernabéu, with 12 goals to nine. Semifinais of 2016 raised the level of the dispute.
An average of 3.2 goals per match suggests open finishing.
Both have accumulated 15 European titles, representing the top of the continent.
Guardiola strategies compensate for absence
Pep Guardiola adopts lateral reversals with Nunes moving forward, creating numbers in the middle. Sem Rodri, the focus is on Nico González for disarms.
City aims for 65% possession, exploring wings with Doku and Foden. Substituições and Oscar Bobb prepare the second half.
Alonso responds with a medium block, selectively pressing.
The tactical clash starts evenly, with corrections during the 90 minutes.
Current classification requires immediate points
Vitória boosts Real to the top-4, with a direct place in the round of 16. With 12 points, a draw preserves the current position.
City, with 10, seeks to overtake rivals to escape the playoffs. Líderes reach 15 points after five games.
The league format totals eight rounds, with eight teams advancing directly.
Goals as a visitor define tiebreaker criteria.
