Guess who’s back at the Bernabéu? Pep Guardiola himself! This isn’t just another game; it’s the FIFTH straight season Manchester City and Real Madrid face off in the Champions League. With Pep calling it an ‘honour’ to be the most frequent rival manager, what new drama will unfold in this epic rivalry?

The highly anticipated 2024/25 Champions League campaign is set to reignite one of European football’s most compelling modern rivalries, as Real Madrid and Manchester City prepare to clash yet again. This upcoming encounter marks an unprecedented fifth consecutive season these two titans will meet in Europe’s premier club competition, promising another chapter of high-stakes drama and tactical masterclasses. The draw has once again pitted these familiar foes against each other, setting the stage for more memorable moments in the Champions League.

At the heart of this enduring rivalry stands Pep Guardiola, the acclaimed Manchester City manager, who recently expressed his unique connection to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Guardiola remarked, “It is an honour to be the rival manager with the most games played at the Bernabéu. Nice to be back in Spain.” This statement underscores his significant history with the iconic venue, where he has faced Real Madrid countless times, not only with City but also during his illustrious tenure at Barcelona. His unparalleled experience at the Bernabéu adds a personal layer to these already intense matchups.

Guardiola’s impressive record at the Santiago Bernabéu spans 25 career appearances as a manager, yielding 13 victories. However, his overall success against Real Madrid CF has shown variability depending on the team he was leading. While his time with FC Barcelona saw him enjoy considerable triumph in the Spanish capital, his encounters with Los Blancos since taking the helm at Manchester City FC have presented a different, more challenging narrative.

The initial years of his Manchester City tenure did provide a glimmer of success at the Bernabéu. Specifically, during the 2019/20 Champions League Round of 16, Pep Guardiola led his side to a crucial 2-1 first-leg victory in Madrid. This win marked City’s lone triumph at Real Madrid’s home ground under Guardiola’s management, a result that hinted at a potential shift in the historical dominance of the Spanish giants.

Since that sole victory, the pendulum has largely swung in Real Madrid’s favor, crafting a narrative of resilience and comebacks against Guardiola’s formidable City squad. The most notable instance occurred in the 2022 semi-finals, when a miraculous *remontada* at the Bernabéu saw Madrid overturn a deficit in stunning fashion, sending City crashing out of the competition in heartbreaking fashion. This match remains a painful memory for City fans and a testament to Real Madrid’s legendary fighting spirit.

The rivalry continued with equally gripping encounters. In the 2023 semi-finals, the two powerhouses played out a tense 1-1 draw in Spain, setting up a decisive return leg. While City delivered a dominant 4-0 performance at the Etihad Stadium to advance, the memory of previous Bernabéu defeats lingered. Just last season, the drama escalated once more with a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu, followed by a penalty shootout victory for Real Madrid in Manchester, further cementing their recent upper hand in direct European clashes.

The very last encounter, preceding the upcoming season, saw Kylian Mbappé net a decisive hat-trick, sealing a 3-1 victory for Real Madrid in the return leg of the Champions League playoffs. This result underscored the Spanish club’s continued ability to perform under pressure against their English counterparts, adding another layer of intrigue and anticipation to the perennial European football rivalry. Each fixture between these two clubs is now etched into modern football history.

As these two colossal clubs prepare to renew acquaintances, the football world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this intense and highly competitive saga. The matchups between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC have consistently delivered thrilling football, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments, solidifying their status as arguably the most captivating rivalry in contemporary European football. The stage is set for more epic battles.