Is Éder Militão playing today? Real Madrid x Manchester City in the Champions League: where to watch live and highlights

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 Éder Militão, the starting Brazilian defender, appears as a critical absence in the Merengue defense. The defender is recovering from a ruptured biceps femoris tendon in his left leg, suffered in December against Celta Vigo. Real Madrid seeks to overcome defensive losses and gain an advantage at home, while Manchester City arrives with greater stability and favoritism due to the solidity of the squad.

Éder Militão has remained out since December 7, 2025 due to a serious injury to his left hamstring. The club diagnosed a rupture of the proximal biceps femoris tendon, with an initial forecast of up to four months of recovery. The defender started training with the ball in February and progressed with his rehabilitation in Valdebebas, but his return is only scheduled for after the March international break. Fontes indicate that Militão will not be available for the duel against Manchester City, prioritizing complete recovery to avoid relapses.

The loss of Militão significantly compromises the defense of Real Madrid, which is already facing multiple absences in the back line. The Brazilian stands out for his physical strength, reading of the game and ability to play the ball, being a key player in the defensive structure. Sem him, the team loses solidity in aerial balls and defensive transitions, forcing the coach Álvaro Arbeloa to improvise with less experienced defenders or tactical adjustments. The absence worsens the challenge against a powerful attack like 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+. Platforms include expert narration, replays and post-match analysis for fans.

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 Militão, 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 seeks greater defensive compactness to compensate for the lack of solidity in the 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 prioritizes possession of the ball and high pressure to exploit the opponent’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Impact of the absence of Militão

Militão contributes with decisive tackles and ball recovery in Champions League. Sem the defender, Real Madrid depends more on Rüdiger and improvisations in defense. Analistas highlight that the low makes the confrontation more risky at home, especially against an Manchester City that maintains a high level of intensity.

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. Militão participated in previous editions, helping with defensive solidity in decisive games, which increases the relevance of his current absence.

Results of the last 5 games of each team

Real Madrid has mixed results in domestic and European competitions. Defensive injuries, including that of Militão, 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, favorable 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 Militão 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 its place in the quarter-finals of Liga of Campeões of UEFA.v