Man City continue their Premier League title defence as they chase down Liverpool and Arsenal but this week, their undivided focus will be on the Champions League as they head to the Bernabeu to take on a buoyant Real Madrid.
Real Madrid vs Man City has been a familiar sight in recent seasons and Man City will be hoping to get past the Los Blancos just like they did last season. Last campaign, Manchester City knocked Madrid out in the semi-final with an aggregate score of 5-1.
Man City are on a run of 10 consecutive UCL wins at the moment and Guardiola will be hoping that this form will continue when he takes his side to Spain in midweek. Just like every other season, Manchester City are in top form as they are unbeaten in their previous 25 outings across all competitions and in their last five games, they have scored 11 goals while conceding just four.
The first leg on Tuesday night is going to be a cracker and even though both the teams are very evenly matched since Madrid will be playing at home Ancelotti’s side will have a slight advantage over the defending champions.
Manchester City’s team news and injuries:
Ederson returned from injury to be on the bench against Crystal Palace and the keeper will return in front of goal for the Real Madrid game.
Kyle Walker has been missing since picking up a knock during the international break and he has been absent since then. The Man City manager has admitted that Walker’s injury is a bit serious he is not expected to be fit for the first leg.
Gvardiol came off at halftime at the weekend after feeling a slight niggle but hopefully, he will be all right.
The manager had said after the match: “The reason for Josko coming off was because he felt a niggle and we don’t want to risk any injuries.”
Manuel Akanji and Bernardo Silva both came off the bench in the 4-2 win over the Eagles but these two will come back into the starting line up which means John Stones and Julian Alvarez will have to make way.
Young Rico Lewis played alongside Rodri in central midfield and Guardiola will want to use two CDMs against Real Madrid as well. However, Lewis will be replaced by either Kovacic or John Stones.
Jack Grealish started on the left wing in their last game but the Man City manager has relied on Jeremy Doku in that position this season so the summer signing will most likely come into the side on Thursday night.
Kevin De Bruyne has missed a lot of games this campaign due to various injuries but the Belgian international has still managed to score three and assist six league goals. All eyes will be on the playmaker and if Madrid’s defenders can’t control him then Man City will surely return to England with a positive result.
Man City predicted line up vs Real Madrid:
Predicted Starting line up(3-2-4-1): Ederson; Ruben Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic/Stones; Doku/Grealish, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden; Haaland.
