Man City2 - 3Real Madrid

The Citizens were beaten 3-2 at home by Los Blancos despite twice taking the lead, and the result has left the club on the brink of elimination before even reaching the Champions League round of 16.

Boss Pep Guardiola will be particularly disappointed as Erling Haaland had given his side a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute after converting a penalty.

However, the Spaniard could have to contend the second leg of the playoff tie on February 19 without defender Akanji and forward Grealish, who were replaced on Tuesday after suffering injuries in the first half.

Speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport, Guardiola said he was unsure about the extent of their injuries, saying: "I don't know yet, but if they have gone out for muscular reasons, maybe they will not be there [for the second leg]."

Though the severity of their injuries are unknown, their potential layoffs could make City's trip to the Bernabeu next week an even more challenging affair.

Is there any hope left for Manchester City?

City started the game slowly and could have conceded a penalty in the opening 10 minutes had Vinicius Junior not been needlessly offside after attempting to breach the hosts' high line.

Guardiola's side looked like they were in control of the game for large periods, with both Josko Gvardiol and Akanji inverting into midfield alongside makeshift-defensive midfielder John Stones.

The defeat means that City will have to win away at the Bernabeu, and they may not have the opportunity to control proceedings in the second leg given they will have to be on the front foot.

Additionally, the injuries to Grealish and Akanji will likely place significant strain on the rest of the City squad should they miss out on action for a prolonged period

Defender Nathan Ake only returned to the pitch on Tuesday night after having missed the club's previous six games through injury, and Guardiola took him off after 61 minutes in a move that was seemingly an attempt to manage his playing time.

The tie with Real is by no means over given the reining European champions only boast a one-goal advantage, but City will undoubtedly come into the second leg as underdogs.

Written by

Lewis Nolan