Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Manchester City face Atletico Madrid at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday, 9th August 2026, in a pre-season friendly bringing two Champions League regulars together in South Korea.

City’s summer form has been mixed. Their most recent outing was a 3-1 away win over K-League Stars. Prior to that, they lost on penalties to Inter after a 1-1 draw at home. Before that, they were beaten 2-1 at home by Aston Villa. Earlier in this run, City drew 1-1 away at Bournemouth, and their sequence began with a 1-0 away win at Chelsea in the FA Cup. Across these five matches, City have won two, drawn one and lost two, with the most recent result a comfortable win in Asia.

Atletico Madrid have shown similarly inconsistent form. Their most recent outing ended in a 2-1 defeat away at Manchester United. Prior to that, they beat Getafe 4-1 at home. Before that, they were thrashed 5-1 away at Villarreal. Earlier in this run, Atletico won 1-0 at home against Girona, and their sequence began with a 2-1 away win at Osasuna. Overall, Atletico have won three and lost two across their last five, with the most recent result a loss on the road.

The head-to-head record is closely balanced across the last three meetings on file, with one win apiece and one draw. Most recently, Atletico won 2-1 away at Manchester City. In the previous encounter, the two sides drew 0-0 at the Metropolitano. There is little to separate these two clubs historically, and this friendly offers another data point in what has been an even rivalry in recent seasons.

Both sides have shown defensive vulnerabilities across their summer schedules, with City conceding in bunches against Villa and on penalties to Inter, while Atletico were exposed for five at Villarreal. Going forward, both clubs have scored freely, suggesting an open, entertaining contest is likely at a neutral venue in Seoul. With squads still being finalised before the new season, rotation is expected from both managers, giving fringe players an opportunity to stake a claim for regular involvement once competitive action resumes.

City’s away form has been a mild concern this summer, with defeats to Villa and Inter on penalties denting confidence slightly, though the win at K-League Stars will have eased those worries. Atletico’s away form has been similarly patchy, with the heavy loss at Villarreal contrasting with their win at Osasuna, and this trip to Asia represents a final tune-up before the serious business of the new campaign begins.

The match will be widely available via CITY+ in most territories, including Great Britain, Australia, Canada and much of Europe and Asia. In the United States, viewers can also catch the game on Paramount+, while in Spain, coverage is available on Movistar+ and Movistar Plus+.

Manchester City Form

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
✅	K-League Stars	1-3	Manchester City	CF	05.08.26
❌	Manchester City	1(1)-1(3)	Inter	CF Pen	01.08.26
❌	Manchester City	1-2	Aston Villa	PL	24.05.26
🤝	Bournemouth	1-1	Manchester City	PL	19.05.26
✅	Chelsea	0-1	Manchester City	FAC	16.05.26

Atletico Madrid Form

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
❌	Manchester Utd	2-1	Atl. Madrid	CF	01.08.26
✅	Atl. Madrid	4-1	Getafe	CF	29.07.26
❌	Villarreal	5-1	Atl. Madrid	LL	24.05.26
✅	Atl. Madrid	1-0	Girona	LL	17.05.26
✅	Osasuna	1-2	Atl. Madrid	LL	12.05.26

Head-to-Head

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
Manchester City	1-2	Atl. Madrid	CF	30.07.23
Atl. Madrid	0-0	Manchester City	CL	13.04.22
Manchester City	1-0	Atl. Madrid	CL	05.04.22

TV Listings / Streaming

Country	Channel
Great Britain	CITY+
USA	Paramount+, CITY+
Spain	Movistar+, Movistar Liga de Campeones, CITY+, Movistar Plus+
Germany	CITY+
Australia	CITY+
Canada	CITY+
Korea Republic	CITY+, Coupang Play
Japan	CITY+, U-NEXT
Portugal	Sport TV2, Sport TV Multiscreen, CITY+
International	Onefootball