One year later, City got their chance to avenge that heart-breaking defeat, and after a nervy 1-1 draw in the first leg featuring wonder goals from Vinicius Jr and Kevin De Bruyne, they did just that. City were utterly ruthless back at the Etihad and never looked back after Bernardo Silva gave them the lead, going on to thrash the holders and record winners 4-0 with a performance Guardiola described as the best he had ever overseen in all his years in the Champions League.
Madrid have evened the score since. The quarter-final tie in 2024 was another classic, a 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu followed by a 1-1 draw at the Etihad before Carlo Ancelotti's side triumphed on penalties. Last season's knockout play-off tie, meanwhile, was a more one-sided affair, as Madrid came from behind to win 3-2 at the Etihad before Kylian Mbappe went on the rampage in the second leg, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory. City did show how far they have come since that dark month of February by beating Madrid on their own turf in December in the league phase.
The fixture could hardly be more even: Madrid and City have won five games each while the other five have ended in draws. Since Guardiola has been coach, City have been more dominant, winning five times, drawing three while losing only three times. Madrid have had the edge, though, in knockout ties, winning four compared to City's two.