City were defeated 3-2 at home in the first leg of their play-off clash last week despite leading 2-1 with just four minutes left in the tie.

Bayern are hoping to go all the way to this season's final, which will be played at their own Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31.

Ancelotti's boys achieved the latest feat for the club in Europe, where they top the all-time win statistics ahead of Bayern Munich (241), Barcelona (209), Manchester United (161), and Juventus (157).

Ancelotti was delighted to finally lead Real to their first success at the Etihad Stadium, a victory he thought was deserved due to the chances created, with Real having 20 shots compared to 11 from City, despite falling behind twice.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said his side lacks composure to defend a lead after Real Madrid struck twice late on to snatch a 3-2 win from the first leg of their Champions League play-off.

Serhou Guirassy inspired Borussia Dortmund to a 3-0 win at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday to help the German side take control of the Champions League play-off round tie.

Ousmane Dembele kept up his remarkable form in front of goal with a double as Paris Saint-Germain took a big step towards qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-0 win over French rivals Brest in the first leg of their play-off tie on Tuesday.

Samuel Mbangula boosted Juventus' chances of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League by netting the late winner in Tuesday's 2-1 success over PSV Eindhoven in Turin.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham struck a last-gasp goal to give the Champions League holders a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat first leg of their knockout phase playoff on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti vehemently defended his sides’ decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or award ceremony last year in protest of Vinicius Jr’s snub and said that Rodri, who edged out Vinicius for the award, should have won the prize a year earlier instead of Lionel Messi.

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said his side were well aware of Real Madrid's habit of producing their best in tough times, with a string of injuries having depleted the visitors' defence ahead of Tuesday's Champions League playoff.

Real and City are set to clash for the fourth consecutive season in Europe's elite club competition, with the first leg in Manchester on Tuesday.

The sides face off earlier than expected this time in the play-off round, with the first leg in Manchester on Tuesday.

"He will not be included in the squad for the match in Manchester," said Madrid in a statement on Sunday, with Spanish media reporting he will miss three weeks.

Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique praised the strength of Ligue 1 as his side prepare to face Brest on Saturday before their all-French Champions League playoff against the same side in February.

Pep Guardiola fears Manchester City's bid to knock holders Real Madrid out of the Champions League will be hampered by the gruelling demands of the Premier League schedule.

City came back from a goal down to beat Belgian side Brugge on Wednesday in a nerve-jangling must-win league phase finale, to finish 22nd in the table - three places above elimination.

The new 36-team format provided plenty of tension, but all the fancied sides at least finished in the top 24 to stay in the competition.

The holders will face either Celtic or Manchester City in the two-legged playoff on February, with the second leg at home.

Balde was full of praise for Atalanta, who won last season's Europa League, but was left stumped by an Italian journalist's other question about their coach Gian Piero Gasperini's style of play at a press conference on Tuesday.