Manchester City surpassed Atletico Madrid and became the first sustained opponent in Real Madrid s Champions League history for more than 60 years

How brilliant is Real Madrid's Champions League resume? We can find multiple dimensions and multiple levels to disassemble them. Even, it can map Real Madrid's glorious history of the Champions League from the opponent's perspective. For example, when it comes to the team that plays the most Champions League finals with Real Madrid, we will think of Liverpool three times. It is said that the match between Real Madrid and Bayern is a European derby, but if you only look at the Champions League final, Liverpool is Real Madrid's best partner.

Of course, Bayern and Real Madrid also have jokes. Bayern and Real Madrid have played 28 games in the Champions League, which is a record in the Champions League. Because I can never find two teams that can meet so many times in the Champions League.

Compared with these old giants, teams like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Chelsea that have only risen to top teams in the 21st century may not have that deep connection with Real Madrid. However, you must look forward in everything and you cannot always hold on to the old emperor's calendar. If Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain can maintain its first-line competitiveness, then the story between them and Real Madrid may slowly be written into a new chapter.

Manchester City has been doing this without realizing it.

The results of the Champions League draw this season have been released, and Manchester City meets Real Madrid again. No, it should be said again and again. Yes, from the 21st to 22nd season, Manchester City has met Real Madrid for five consecutive seasons in the Champions League. Two of them were semi-finals, one quarter-finals, one play-offs, and, this time the first stage of the competition. This density and sustainability are even higher than that of old giants such as Bayern, Juventus, and Liverpool.

In fact, before the 21st to 22nd season, Manchester City also met Real Madrid many times. For example, the group stages in the 12-13 season, and the semi-finals in the 15-16 season. Then there is the quarterfinals of the 19-20 season. It feels like Manchester City and Real Madrid have already met all stages of the Champions League, and it is just a matter of the final.

Although Real Madrid's sustainability in playing the Champions League can be guaranteed, it is extremely rare to meet them like Manchester City and meet them for five consecutive seasons. Previously, this record belonged to Atletico Madrid.

From the 13th to 14th season, Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League final and was tied by Ramos' 9248 miracle, and was defeated in overtime. Those years were the peak era at Atletico Madrid. In the following seasons 2014 to 2015, 2016, and 2016 to 2017, Atletico Madrid actually met Real Madrid for four consecutive seasons. But every time, Atletico Madrid is the ultimate loser.

However, with Atletico Madrid's background and status in the history of the Champions League, it is not easy for them to have such a continuous fate with Real Madrid. Unfortunately, from the 17th to 18th season, Atletico Madrid's competitiveness gradually declined, and their fate with Real Madrid in the Champions League gradually withdrew. It was not until the 24th to 25th season that the two teams continued again. But it is no longer the same as meeting four times in a row back then.

In fact, Manchester City and Real Madrid met in the Champions League playoff last season, which tied Atletico Madrid's record. Now, although Manchester City and Real Madrid have not started playing, they have surpassed Atletico Madrid and become the most consistent opponent in Real Madrid's Champions League history for more than 60 years - meeting for five consecutive seasons.

Moreover, this may not be the final record. Who knows whether the two teams will meet again next season? Of course, Manchester City seems to be not going well recently. They showed a downward trend last season. I wonder if Guardiola can bring Manchester City back to its peak this season. From this perspective, Real Madrid has become a barometer of Manchester City's state trend. As long as you can meet Real Madrid in the Champions League, it proves that Manchester City is still on the front line.