Real Madrid central defender Antonio Rüdiger has been diagnosed with a leg muscle injury sustained in a Spanish league game on Saturday.

Real Madrid take on Manchester City in the Champions League as two of the biggest clubs in Europe fight for a spot in the round of 16. In what is a final worthy

Defending champions Real Madrid will renew their Champions League rivalry with 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.

Real Madrid will boast a "new signing" for its Champions League playoff clash with Manchester City in less than a fortnight.

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City is now a familiar sight in the Champions League. European soccer’s most engrossing rivalry in recent years will resume in a two-legged playoff next month to reach the round of 16.

Elsewhere among the eight ties, Celtic meet Bayern Munich and there is an all-French contest between minnows Brest and serial domestic champions Paris Saint-Germain. The first legs of the play-off matches will take place on February 11 and 12, with the returns a week later.

Real Madrid is celebrating its return to good form despite placing low in the Champions League and failing to avoid a possible playoff against Manchester City. Madrid's slow start in the European competition kept the defending champion from going straight into the round of 16 — and possibly set up an encounter with Man City in the playoffs.

Real Madrid confirmed a huge injury blow which will severly affect head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for this month’s Champions League clash with Manchester City.