This midweek, a blockbuster clash awaits in UEFA Champions League Group Stage Round 6 as Real Madrid host Premier League giants Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu – marking the fifth consecutive season the two sides have faced each other. Ahead of the match, Rodrygo spoke exclusively to UEFA’s official website, reflecting on the numerous historic encounters between the two teams over the years.
“This has become a true Champions League derby,” said the Real Madrid winger as the club prepares to face City for the fifth straight season – and with good reason.
Over the past four seasons, each side has eliminated the other in the knockout stages, with the pair combining to claim three Champions League titles during this period: Real Madrid in 2021/22 and 2023/24, and Manchester City in 2022/23.
In the 2021-22 Champions League semi-finals, Real Madrid advanced with a 6-5 aggregate win over two legs. In the second leg, Rodrygo delivered a sensational substitute performance, scoring twice to send the game into extra time.
Recalling that match, Rodrygo said: “That’s the most unforgettable moment of my football career. The key thing is, after I scored the first goal, the fourth official held up the board indicating 6 minutes of stoppage time. At that moment, the atmosphere erupted – it felt like we’d scored an extra goal, and the fans went completely wild. Right after that, I scored the second one.”
Ultimately, Karim Benzema’s 95th-minute penalty sealed Real Madrid’s place in the final, where they beat Liverpool 1-0 to claim their 14th Champions League title.
In the 2022-23 Champions League semi-finals, Manchester City won 5-1 on aggregate.
Reflecting on the 1-1 draw in the first leg at home, Rodrygo said: “The sense of regret from that first leg is still fresh in my mind. We really had the chance to win the game, but we just lacked a bit of luck. The second leg was even harder to accept – they were in incredible form, while we were nowhere near our best. The images from that match keep playing over and over in my head, and I can’t shake them.”
In the 2023-24 Champions League quarter-finals, Real Madrid and Manchester City drew 4-4 after normal time and extra time, with Real Madrid advancing via penalty shootout.
Speaking about the thrilling 3-3 home draw in the first leg, Rodrygo said: “That first leg was absolutely brilliant. It encapsulated everything that’s made the clashes between Real Madrid and Man City so classic over the years. Personally, it was a huge honor to play in such an important match and get on the scoresheet. The away leg was extremely tough, but fortunately, I scored another goal. We fought so hard throughout the entire tie.”
The Blancos then defeated Bayern Munich in the semi-finals and Borussia Dortmund in the final, extending their Champions League title record to 15.
In the 2024-25 Champions League knockout play-offs, Real Madrid advanced to the round of 16 with a 6-3 aggregate win over Manchester City, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a hat-trick in the second leg at home.
Rodrygo said: “I think this was the first time we took the initiative in both legs of the tie. Although we faced some difficult moments during the games and they outperformed us at times, overall, we controlled most of the match – especially in the second half, when we put in an excellent performance.”
