As if facing Real Madrid to save your Champions League campaign isn’t enough, Manchester City also face a nightmare Premier League run in what is looking to be a February from hell.

It will be a gruelling month for Pep Guardiola’s men who kickstart their tough run of games with an away trip against Arsenal before playing the European champions in the European Cup play-off round.

The two teams have met twelve times, with five draws, four wins for Man City and three for Real.
What is even more surprising is that they have met in the knockout stages in four successive seasons.
Last term their quarter-final encounter went to penalties after an aggregate score of 4-4.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side won the shootout 4-3 after Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic had their shots saved by Andriy Lunin.

During the 2022/23 season they met in the semi-finals and, after a close 1-1 first leg, Guardiola’s side destroyed Real at the Etihad 4-0.

They then went on to lift their first ever Champions League as part of their treble-winning season.
Guardiola described a match with Real Madrid as a ‘derby’ during Friday’s pre-match press conference – his ties to Barcelona no doubt adding a little extra spice.

Speaking on the difficult schedule the City boss said: “We started [this run of games] in Paris, then afterwards Chelsea

“So we are already there in terms of difficult games. The schedule is what it is.
“It always happens in the Premier League, always they put the toughest [fixtures] – always they are so kind with the calendar. Many years it happens that way.”

After their European Tuesday clash they will face Newcastle United at home in an attempt to contain an on-fire Alexander Isak.
The Swede has 17 goals in the league this season, one shy of Erling Haaland.
It’s a clash of high importance as Man City sit fourth in the table, only one place above Newcastle due to goal difference.
In September when the two sides met at St James’ Park it ended in a point a piece.

Man City will then travel to Spain for the second leg with the star studded Madrid.
However, it can be argued that Real won’t be Man City’s toughest test in February.

Liverpool, who lead the Premier League table and finished top of the Champions League first stage, awaits

The month will conclude with an encounter with Tottenham, a seemingly easy fixture considering their current form.
But Spurs have been a bogey team for Guardiola, as shown by their 4-0 win against Man City in November.