The first-ever edition of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoffs is officially here, and will begin with a bang on Tuesday as Manchester City play host to Real Madrid. The last two winners of the Champions League were surprisingly poor during the league phase,

Real Madrid will take a 3-2 lead into the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie with Manchester City following some stunning late drama at the Etihad. The hosts were impressive in the first half and looked like they would boast a 2-1 lead ahead of next week's return fixture at the Bernabeu,

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.