After a problematic double header against Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid are preparing to face another team that caused them serious difficulty in the Champions League.
It's been a disappointing group campaign by the usual high standards set within the club and boss Jose Mourinho, and an accomplished performance away to City is now required.
Current form
In the nine league games since their last meeting with City, Real Madrid have slipped up just the once, drawing away to Barcelona. Other than that they've been in blistering form, racking up hammerings against the likes of Deportivo La Coruna, Real Mallorca, Real Zaragoza and most recently Athletic Bilbao.
Jose Mourinho's team have shown typically refined balance in their defensive and attacking duties, all the while being driven on by the spine of Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, then Xabi Alonso.
All are key performers in the system and have vast experience between them made for games like this. Perhaps the trademark of this team though, is the direct attacking line: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria are all lightning quick and purposeful with the ball at their feet - and without it too.
They can pummel teams on the counter attack, but also have the nous to pull you apart with precise approach play. The fact this attack has fired in 92 shots in the Champions League, more than any other team, shows their mindset.
Injuries have been a big problem in the current La Liga campaign, in which they currently sit eight points off Barcelona. The consequence is Mourinho has been forced to tinker with his line-up more than he would have liked. Marcelo is currently out of the side. He's usually something of a favourite of Mourinho in this system as he's not only improved dramatically defensively but his attacking forays are a vital weapon.
Gonzalo Higuain is out too, a hard runner but also capable of the spectacular and finding the net. Still, the players Madrid do have available are more than capable of taking down even the best clubs in this competition.
Tactics and probable line-up
As ever Casillas will take up the armband and be between the sticks, and in front of him the partnership of Pepe and Sergio Ramos are tough, quick and uncompromising. Ramos had a brief spell at right-back, but with injuries easing he takes up his favoured central slot.
Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao are the right and left backs respectively, both of whom are seen as the weak links in this team by many observers. Arbeloa's attacking qualities are slim while Coentrao is prone to switching off at key moments despite his work ethic.
Ahead of them Mourinho will field the double pivot of Sami Khedira and Alonso, the former breaks up play and covers for his partner but also looks to provide a threat with well timed runs into the area. Alonso meanwhile is the one who makes things tick, and how City go about shutting him down will be decisive in this match. His strengths lie within his vision and interpretation of the game, so Roberto Mancini will do well to put the blindfold on him.
Mesut Ozil forms the link between the deep lying players and attacking line. He will drift in a similar style as David Silva does for City, and look to squeeze into the gaps opponents leave. He can pick a pass most certainly, but off the ball he makes smart moves and gets in to goalscoring positions.
Luka Modric, although having more of an influence in recent weeks with his displays, is set to miss out. Still, the ex-Spurs man is not a bad option to have on the bench should City stall the white juggernaut.
Finally, we'll have the trio of Benzema, Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese has recently been ushered into central positions as Mourinho looks for extra ways to unlock opponents. Either side of him, Benzema and Di Maria will float around with the intention of cutting in on the City full-backs, with the Argentinean also offering himself as an extra midfielder, picking up the ball and initiating attacking moves. All three interchange well, and have a good understanding of each other.
After much refining by Mourinho, Madrid's style is well set in the mould and has few faults. Still, it has been shown on set-pieces and even at their own counter-attacking game they can be unravelled. Few teams, outside of Barcelona, have rocked Mourinho's men quite like Dortmund and their high-octane style. City will likely prefer a more cautious game though.
Probable starting XI (4-2-3-1): Casillas (C); Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di Maria, Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema.
Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo
Who else? He's scored 15 goals in his last 12 Champions League appearances, and continues to make the outstanding seem ordinary
Whether he's in his traditional wide berth cutting inside, or looking to evade centre-backs with a well timed run, this is the sort of stage the Portuguese flourishes on.
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