REAL MADRID vs MANCHESTER CITY | Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg | 11.03.26 | 21:00 CET

That third goal of Valverde is as inspiring for me as the magical Redondo assist against Man Utd 26 years ago.

 

reading some man city boards and there's a lot of apprehension about facing Jude and Mbappe next leg. Jude will probably be a slow starter, but if they pump him Mbappe full of painkillers then it will be a bit of a cheat code moving forward at 3-0.

 

Having both on the bench if we need a goal would be a boost.

 

Felt so good seeing that desire!

we haven't shown that since 2024.

 

🚨 Thierry Henry: "I want to talk about Thiago Pitarch. I watched him closely. What a game he had, he was running for everybody." pic.twitter.com/sxHhdHAEw3

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

 

🚨 Thierry Henry: "I want to talk about Thiago Pitarch. I watched him closely. What a game he had, he was running for everybody." pic.twitter.com/sxHhdHAEw3

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🚨 Thiago Pitarch: “It's a dream, it's the kind of match you put on FIFA to play.” pic.twitter.com/WsAk8D6JNj

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🚨 Pep Guardiola: “Fede Valverde is a fantastic player. I don’t know how many roles he can play in.” pic.twitter.com/P9UDbAvuxw

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🚨 Reminder:

Carreras, Mbappé and Jude Bellingham *could* be back for the 2nd leg at the Etihad. pic.twitter.com/4OfJxzuC24

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🚨 xG: Real Madrid (2.88) 3-0 (0.64) Man City pic.twitter.com/NnPVTfUvtH

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

 

🚨 Pep Guardiola: "Real Madrid defended really well tonight, 11 players together, with amazing spirit."

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) March 11, 2026

 

🚨 Trent: “My start at Real Madrid? Well, a couple of injuries, but since I found my fitness… I’m loving it here and I’ve loved it since the first minute.

It’s a dream come true. I’m trying to adapt the best I can.“ pic.twitter.com/qSeqzKGbuM

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🗣️ Courtois: “Vini’s penalty? It’s a pity but 3-0 is a good result. What if Vini scored and they scored one too? We can’t live of ‘what if’.” pic.twitter.com/92GJ0fuxnv

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🗣️ Courtois: “The assist? I have a good foot (laughs).” pic.twitter.com/kpKEuE7Pvm

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🚨 Trent: “Fede Valverde is the most underrated player on the planet.

He never lets us down, he’s always there.” pic.twitter.com/REgaHwUXyE

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🚨 Trent: “Fede? No words for him left.

Even when I was at Liverpool I admired him.” pic.twitter.com/wVX3ZNHlAP

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

 

🚨 Trent: “When there’s so much hype about a game, playing for Real Madrid, there’s no excuses.

We have to win, we have to win the competition.

No matter who’s in front of us.” pic.twitter.com/YkrhW4L9yw

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🚨 Trent: “A lot of people expected us to get battered tonight, but we shown our mentality.

No matter the injuries, this competition means a lot to the club and to our fans.

We did the game plan perfectly.” pic.twitter.com/jGPap8vAYH

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

🚨 Trent: “It’s knockout football in the Champions League, anyone can beat anyone, no matter the form.” pic.twitter.com/swmz1EsCf1

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

 

I swear, get a new contract out for Pitarch tomorrow and get it signed. He’s got a long and bright future in the midfield for us.

I thought we needed two CM in the summer. No we don’t, not anymore. If we get someone else in with that little bit more experience then we’re set there.

I don’t think we need to be looking at guys like Smitt anymore.

 

All Fede can do is run, and Ferland, Sunday league player at best, Tbo what a keeper, what a result, loved the energy loved the work, three fantastic goals, cleansheet, an allround team effort IMO, one questionmark, still don't know what Arda offers as a CM , thanks team, thanks Alvaro, the up and down nature of the team is interesting and stressful at times, but, we move.....

 

Pitarch and Paz next year please

 

Hit and miss. Some say he might be back.

I hope Mendy is OK though.

 

🚨🗣️ Arbeloa: “Mendy? It’s early to say but it’s DIFFICULT that he’ll play the 2nd leg.” pic.twitter.com/95tW3kv8aD

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

 

Thought Arda went more vertical in the second half. But yeah, less touches please and thank you

 

I am super happy about to win and couldn't be happier that I was wrong to count out this team. Fede scoring a hattrick was not on my bingo cards.

Real Madrid shipped 4 goals to Benfica. I wouldn't call 3 goals insurmountable. But can Real Madrid finally agree that Vini Jr is the worst penalty taker of all the forwards? This tie would've been over if he scored that penalty.

Vini just keeps getting more and more unlikeable.

 

Vini stopped taking pens for Brazil due to fans backlash, I think. Even Estevao was taking penalties ahead of him. Obviously nationalism pressure is there when you miss with Brazil.

At RM, he's one of the worst takers for sure. Missed a pen in QF vs Atleti last year too tough it didn't eventually hurt us.

 

We have suffered in return legs after a big win like at Dortmund 2014, Juve 2018 and Chelsea 2022 (both at Bernabeu), still found a way to win the tie somehow. Hope we do that again even if City starts strongly at Ethihad.

 

I’m late to the party here, haven’t watched the match or the thread. Apologies if this has been covered earlier.

Why did Vinicius stand still when Brahim was carrying the ball in that second goal?

 

🚨 Thierry Henry: “Fede Valverde ALWAYS shines. Only thing is that people DON’T see that type of shine.

People don’t see the players who run. I can assure you, when you’re Trent and someone is defending with you, it’s easier to defend.

Not only did he score goals, he always… pic.twitter.com/2JsUDoExvo

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) March 11, 2026

 

Henry, Micah and Kate are great. Carragher brings sourpuss energy to that panel, but at least there aren't more.

 

Henry the only one with real analysis. Micah there for the banter and Carragher for the hyperbole. It's a fun show to watch but only Henry's opinion is worth listening to