Manchester City vs Real Madrid – Champions League: Live score and team news as Pep Guardiola faces off against Carlo Ancelotti in heavyweight play-off as hosts look for first-leg advantage

You’re joking, not another one?

Manchester City and Real Madrid seem to play each other as much as Kanye West takes to X these days.

It’s a match between two European giants which has become a classic rivalry in the modern era.

I mean, this tie always grips me. When City and Madrid face off, they always bring the heat.

This is the fifth time they have faced each other in the last six years, but they usually meet in the latter stages of the competition.

That’s certainly not the case this year…. not even the slightest.

This time around, the two heavyweights are fighting just to make it into the round of 16. It’s crazy.

These are the types of ties the new formats give us I suppose, and I know not many of you are complaining. I know I’m not.

It may still be early days in the Champions League this season, but you won’t get many bigger match-ups than this.

Get your popcorn ready, strap yourselves in, and just enjoy the ride.

It’s going to be a bumpy, but brilliant one…