Man City vs Real Madrid is now Europe's biggest rivalry - and it could peak next season

"Be careful, Real Madrid," warned Pep Guardiola in the moments after his greatest triumph as Manchester City manager. This was Guardiola in jest rather than setting his sights on the rival club that has defined his career to a greater degree than any other, but in the Spanish capital, they would have taken note.

Guardiola had joked that City were just 13 European Cup triumphs behind Real after they beat Inter in Istanbul last season to break their duck in Europe's premier club tournament. "Kings of the competition," Guardiola called Real ahead of their latest meeting and while on the weight of history that will remain indisputably true, right now they are in danger of being temporarily dethroned.

For the third successive season, these two clubs are meeting deep in the Champions League's knockout stage. In 2021/22 Real Madrid produced the kind of heroic rescue act they made a name from and won a titanic semi-final duel before winning the tournament. A year later, City exacted brutal revenge at the same stage and won the tournament.

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The winners of this year's quarter-final will be favourites to go all the way come Thursday morning and it would be no surprise if they did just that. It feels like the balance of power is shifting and if City once again prevail in an Etihad second leg, it will confirm that thought.

It will be their 12th meeting in total since City's ascension to Champions League regulars and it is a rivalry that has simmered away until the stage it is at now, which is the biggest and best in Europe. It is two star-studded teams managed