Does David Alaba play today? Real Madrid x Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16

Real Madrid faces Manchester City this Wednesday, March 11, at 9pm (Madri local time), at Estádio Santiago Bernabéu, in the first leg of the Liga round of 16 of the UEFA Campeões. The absence of David Alaba, Austrian defender and leader of the Merengue defense, appears as a significant absence in the back line. The defender is recovering from an injury to the meniscus in his left knee, aggravated by chronic problems in his right knee, which have kept him out since the beginning of the season. Real Madrid seeks to overcome the multiple defensive losses and gain an advantage at home, while Manchester City arrives with greater stability and favoritism due to the solidity of the squad.

David Alaba continues to recover from recurring knee injuries. The defender suffered a tear in the lateral meniscus of his left knee in October 2025, after having already dealt with an injury to his right knee that required previous surgery. The club performed arthroscopy on the left knee, but rehabilitation progressed slowly due to inflammatory complications and the need for muscle strengthening. Atualizações recent reports indicate that Alaba started light ball training in Valdebebas, but a full return is only scheduled for the end of March or beginning of April. Isso excludes him from the confrontation against Manchester City, prioritizing full recovery to avoid another prolonged absence.

The loss of Alaba seriously compromises the defense of Real Madrid, which is already facing a crisis of absences in the defense and on the flanks. The Austrian stands out for his leadership, reading of the game, clean ball play and versatility to play as a central defender or left-back. Sem him, the team loses balance in aerial balls, defensive organization and the ability to start plays from the defense. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa needs to improvise with less experienced options, increasing vulnerability against a quick and lethal attack like that of Manchester City.

Where to watch live and stream online

The match will be broadcast exclusively live on HBO Max on Brasil, with full coverage and pre-game starting at 4pm (Brasília time). No Reino Unido, the game goes to TNT Sports and Prime Video. Nos Estados Unidos, the option is Paramount+. The platforms offer specialized narration, replays and post-match analysis for fans to follow the duel.

Probable lineups

Real Madrid must line up Courtois in goal, with Alexander-Arnold on the right flank, Asencio and Rüdiger in central defense in the absence of Alaba, Mendy on the left. In the middle, Valverde, Tchouaméni and Güler form the base, while Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García lead the attack. The scheme prioritizes defensive compactness and quick transitions to compensate for the lack of leadership in defense.

Manchester City enters with Donnarumma in goal, defense with Nunes, Dias and Guéhi. Rodri commands the midfield alongside Bernardo Silva, with Cherki, O’Reilly and Haaland in attack, supported by Semenyo. The team maintains possession of the ball and high pressure to exploit the opponent’s defensive weaknesses.

Impact of the absence of Alaba

Alaba acts as a defensive pillar and organizer of the ball in Champions League. Sem the Austrian, Real Madrid faces greater exposure in set pieces and defensive transitions. Analistas highlight that the absence worsens the challenge at home, especially against an Manchester City that explores spaces and medium-range shots well.

Recent clash history

The teams face each other for the fifth consecutive season in the knockout stages of the Champions. In the group stage of this edition, Manchester City won 2-1 at Bernabéu. Alaba participated in previous editions, contributing with solid performances in defense and in the construction of plays, which makes his absence even more felt in the tactical balance.

Results of the last 5 games of each team

Real Madrid has mixed results in domestic and European competitions. Defensive injuries, including that of Alaba, affect the team’s consistency. Manchester City maintains a positive streak, with victories that reinforce confidence for the knockout duel.

Curiosities and arbitration

Referee Maurizio Mariani, from Itália, referees the match, with VAR Marco Di Bello, also Italian. The temperature in Madri is around 15-16°C, with partly cloudy skies and a low chance of rain, ideal conditions for a technical game.

Tickets and stadium

Santiago Bernabéu receives around 83 thousand fans. Ingressos sold out quickly for the visiting and general sectors due to the appeal of the confrontation. The local fans create intense pressure from the opening whistle.

Guesses and analysis

Manchester City is the favorite due to its greater stability and the absence of Alaba in Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior and Courtois need to raise the bar to balance. The game promises high intensity, with the potential for goals due to the teams’ offensive power.

The duel continues next week at Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City seeks to confirm their place in the quarter-finals of UEFA’s Liga of Campeões.