City host Madrid needing a major turnaround after suffering a 3-0 defeat in the first leg. That setback was followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw with West Ham United at the weekend, leaving them nine points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
Head coach Pep Guardiola is refusing to show a downbeat attitude, but the reality is that City are heading into a decisive period.
After today’s European clash, attention will quickly turn to the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, where City are set to face Arsenal. The intensity does not ease after that either, with an FA Cup tie against long-time rivals Liverpool next.
Those cup fixtures are followed by Premier League matches against Chelsea and Arsenal that will determine whether City retain any realistic chance of winning the title this season.
It’s a huge period for the club, particularly as there has also been growing discussion around Guardiola’s future.
The City manager has one year remaining on his contract from this summer, but speculation has been growing over whether he could bring his time at the club to an end a year early.
If City end the season without silverware, would Guardiola really leave on such a low note?
Sources have confirmed that two names in the frame as potential successors would be Enzo Maresca and Vincent Kompany.
Elsewhere, City are also waiting for progress on top midfielder Rodri, who has been in discussions over a contract extension. Today’s opponents Madrid are known to be very interested in signing him during the summer transfer window as they look to refresh their midfield.
Losing Rodri would represent a major blow, although the club are already considering reinforcements in that area, regardless, with Elliot Anderson a key target.
The biggest exit City could face is striker Erling Haaland, with Madrid also interested in him, along with Barcelona, but sources are adamant he will remain at the club for now.
One player not spoken about as much, but facing an important decision, surrounds Phil Foden.
The 25-year-old has already won the Champions League and six Premier League titles with City, and his current contract only runs until June 2027.
Initial conversations over a new deal have begun, but the club appear reluctant to move him into a significantly higher wage bracket than his current salary of around £220,000 per week.
Foden has struggled for consistent form again this season, and while City have approached negotiations slightly cautiously in a financial sense, there is genuine intent for him to stay.
He was an unused substitute for the first leg against Madrid, so it will be intriguing to see what role Guardiola chooses for him today.
There is a lot on the line as the season moves towards its decisive stages, and City must get over some significant hurdles if they are to ensure everything ends positively.
