Despite the looming shadow of Mbappe’s potential absence, the fixture is widely regarded as the pinnacle of European club football. Both teams are synonymous with attacking intent and technical excellence, promising a spectacle that will capture the world’s attention. Early assessments suggest that the tie will be as balanced as ever, though City may hold a slight psychological edge following their group-stage victory earlier in the campaign.
For Real Madrid, the mission remains clear: find a way to navigate the City hurdle, whether they have their French superstar available or not. Butragueno concluded by highlighting the entertainment value such a high-profile game brings to the global stage. He added: "There are usually goals, it's one of the best matches you can see in the world. People are going to enjoy it a lot because they're attacking matches, with two teams that want to dominate."