Manchester City and Real Madrid collide tonight in the first leg of their blockbuster Champions League play-off clash. In a fixture befitting of the final, the two European giants meet in the first knockout phase of the competition with one side facing the ignominy of elimination before the last 16 stage.

In what is now considered a modern European classic, Manchester City and Real Madrid meet for the fourth consecutive year. This unexpected showdown between the last two Champions League winners takes place in the Playoff round for a spot in the Round of 16,