Real Madrid is celebrating its return to good form despite placing low in the Champions League and failing to avoid a possible playoff against Manchester City. Madrid's slow start in the European competition kept the defending champion from going straight into the round of 16 — and possibly set up an encounter with Man City in the playoffs.

Why there are options on the draw… Like your writers, I was initially wondering why there is a draw now for those in the UCL play-offs – i.e. why Man City will play one of Real Madrid / Bayern Munich – but it actually makes sense.

Real Madrid hope to avoid Manchester City in the next round, manager Carlo Ancelotti said after they beat Brest 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League playoff where they will be seeded.