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

Manchester City have been drawn to face holders Real Madrid in the play-off round for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. City and Real Madrid have faced each other in each of the past three seasons, with City losing on penalties in the quarter-finals to the eventual winners in 2023-24.

Real Madrid will play Manchester City in the Champions League knockout playoffs round in a standout clash of the past two title winners after the draw was made Friday.

Anwar El Ghazi, a Netherlands international winger formerly of Aston Villa and PSV, had often posted about Palestine throughout his career, but one particular message, written on his Instagram story in October 2023, saw his contract terminated by his football club and led to a lengthy legal battle.

Guardiola’s side were pitted against the 15-time European champions in the Jan 31 play-off round draw. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Pep Guardiola ready for Real Madrid ‘derby’ after Champions League draw - The two sides will meet for the fifth time in six seasons, while Celtic take on Bayern Munich.

Elsewhere, Celtic meet Bayern Munich and there is an all-French contest between minnows Brest and Paris Saint-Germain. The first legs of the play-off matches will take place on February 11/12, with the second legs on February 18/19. Sam Lee, Rory Smith, Oliver Kay, Seb Stafford-Bloor and Dermot Corrigan analyse the key talking points from the draw.

Title holder Real Madrid learned who it will face in the Champions League playoffs after the draw was made early on Friday afternoon in Europe.

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji knows they will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the Champions League playoffs but believes they can win.