Rodrygo has added to his scoring streak with Real Madrid but the Spanish powerhouse didn’t get all the goals it needed to finish high enough in the league phase of the Champions League and avoid a possible encounter with Manchester City in the playoffs.

Alex Kirkland discusses the possibility of another Real Madrid vs. Man City showdown in the Champions League.

There is going to be a blockbuster Champions League knockout playoff round tie between Manchester City and Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Here's why.

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.

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we will get Manchester City against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs.

Manchester City squeezed through to the Champions League play-off round with a 3-1 comeback win against Club Brugge.

However, the situation is further complicated by the return from injury of veteran star Dani Carvajal, who has held the Real Madrid right-back slot for over a decade. Carvajal's 2024/25 season was cut short in October, after he suffered a triple knee ligament injury, with surgery ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.

City secured a Champions League play-off spot with a crucial comeback win against Club Brugge. They now face a huge challenge against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. If they advance, they will meet Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid in the next round.

Celtic were able to spend £26m this season alone on Adam Idah, Arne Engels and Auston Trusty. Jota is back. Tierney is coming back. Those won't be insignificant wages. Which begs the question: Just how far is this new big-spending Celtic board prepared to push the boat out?

In a recent Instagram clip shared by Managing Madrid, taken from the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani discussed possible ways to bolster the squad in the transfer window. At the top of Real Madrid’s list is a new right-back.