Champions League playoffs: Manchester City to face Madrid, Celtic land Bayern

Last year Madrid ended City's hopes of retaining the Champions League as they won in a penalty shoot-out at the Etihad in the quarter-finals.

CHAMPIONS CUP DRAW: Manchester City have drawn Real Madrid in play-offs for the Champions League.

Manchester City must overcome Real Madrid if they are to keep their Champions League hopes alive after the pair were drawn together for a blockbuster playoff tie.

In a fiendish consequence of City’s scratchy league phase, which saw them narrowly avoid early elimination by finishing 22nd, they will face the La Liga leaders and reigning European champions next month. Celtic have been dealt an equally tough assignment in the form of Bayern Munich. The play-off winners will all enter the round of 16 but there is no further safety net for those defeated.