Man City’s dream Champions League draw as club offered chance at redemption
Manchester City know the two clubs they could potentially face next in the Champions League
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are set to learn their next opponents in the Champions League(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City are awaiting the Champions League draw to see who Pep Guardiola’s side will face in the next round. The club have two possible opponents in Real Madrid and Bodo/Glimt following the knockout play-offs.
City secured automatic qualification to the round of 16 after clinching the eighth spot in the league phase. The team’s 2-0 win over Galatasaray in their final match proved enough to get them over the line.
However, both Real Madrid and Bodo/Glimt represent potentially tough tests for City, though for differing reasons. The Spanish giants often thrive in the Champions League and City are more than familiar with the threats Los Blancos pose, having faced the club in five of the last six seasons.
Bodo/Glimt have proven to be the competition’s surprise package. The Norwegian side finished 23rd in the league phase but showcased their quality in a 3-1 win over City in January.
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Here, MEN Sport takes a closer look at the two sides as City prepare for the Champions League draw on Friday.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid need no introduction. As 15-time winners of Europe’s premier domestic competition, the La Liga side often find another level when performing on the biggest stage.
It has not been the most straightforward season for them so far. Real parted with manager Xabi Alonso last month and have since suffered setbacks under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
However, despite missing out on the top eight in the league phase, Los Blancos have progressed to the round of 16 after overcoming Benfica 3-1 on aggregate. While key players Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were sidelined for the recent return leg, star forward Vinicius Junior scored his second goal of the tie to seal their victory.
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It has almost become an annual tradition for City to meet the Spanish club in the Champions League knockout phases. Guardiola’s side have been eliminated in three of their last five meetings, including in last season’s play-off round, and would be aiming to avoid a similar fate this term.
Bodo/Glimt
While not many would have predicted Bodo/Glimt to reach this stage of the competition, the minnows are certainly no longer under the radar. In the play-offs, the Norwegian side enjoyed a 5-2 aggregate win over Inter Milan, who City faced in the Champions League final just three seasons ago.
Former AC Milan winger Jens Petter Hauge scored in both games against Inter and has rediscovered his best form since returning to his boyhood club in 2024. Star striker Kasper Hogh also netted a memorable brace against City in Bodo/Glimt’s remarkable 3-1 win over City last month.
It was a result made even more impressive by the fact that the Norwegian outfit are currently competing during their pre-season. Being drawn against Bodo/Glimt would bring the possibility of a repeat performance but also offer City a chance to rewrite any wrongs from their meeting.
Verdict
Bodo/Glimt would be City’s ideal opponent between facing Real Madrid and the Norwegian side. Real Madrid pose a recognisable threat and have consistently shown they are closely matched to City.
While Bodo/Glimt’s subsequent victories over Atletico Madrid and Inter prove that the performance against City was not a one-off, Guardiola’s side should back themselves to correct their earlier mistakes.
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