- Manchester City face a play-off after struggling during the league phase
- Guardiola’s side will have to negotiate a two-legged tie against Real Madrid
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Manchester City face a blockbuster Champions League play-off tie against Real Madrid after the draw was conducted at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.
Pep Guardiola’s side advanced to the knock-out stage of the tournament by winning their final league phase match 3-1 against Club Brugge in midweek.
The result saw the Premier League champions to finish 22nd in the league, which was enough for a play-off spot but left them unseeded in the draw.
Man City were paired with Celtic, who finished in 21st place, with the teams knowing they would be drawn against European heavyweights Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
The draw continues Man City’s recent trend of facing Real Madrid in Europe’s premier club competition.
The sides have met in the past three seasons, with the winner of each tie going on to lift the trophy.
Real Madrid beat Man City on penalties in the quarter-finals last season, avenging their loss in the semi-final stage the previous year.
Los Blancos also won their semi-final meeting in 2022.
Man City’s draw confirmed that Celtic were drawn to face Bayern Munich in the play-offs.
As the unseeded teams, Man City and Celtic will host the first legs of their respective ties on February 11 or 12.
They will then travel for the away legs on February 18 or 19.
