The semi-finals of the Champions League are becoming familiar territory for Manchester City, and Real Madrid are becoming a familiar foe.
City will take on Los Blancos at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening in the first leg of a mouth-watering final-four clash.
The tie is a repeat of last season’s semi-final, only this time, Pep Guardiola’s side will have the luxury of playing the second leg at home.
City flew out to Madrid on Monday with a near-full complement of players; Nathan Ake is absent after sustaining an injury in Saturday’s Premier League win against Leeds.
The Blues suffered a late collapse at the Bernabeu a little over a year ago, conceding two late goals before losing the tie 6-5 on aggregate.
Guardiola will be hoping his side avoids a similar lapse this time. Here are the players MCN thinks the Spaniard will trust to secure a result to take back to Manchester.
Defence
Nathan Ake has been a sure starter for much of this season, but when the Dutchman missed three matches last month with a hamstring issue, Guardiola drafted in Manuel Akanji to replace him.
The Swiss international’s pace and strength make him the most qualified candidate to deal with Real Madrid’s in-form winger Rodrygo and attacking right-back Dani Carvajal.
Ruben Dias will as ever marshal the backline, while Kyle Walker will come in as the right-sided centre-back to accommodate Akanji’s shift to the left.
Midfield
Stones will play at centre-back when City don’t have the ball, but in possession, he will step up into midfield to form a double pivot alongside Rodri.
In a European knock-out tie that has the potential to devolve into an end-to-end basketball match, Guardiola will want to play his ‘control wingers.
Jack Grealish will come back into the team on the left flank while Bernardo Silva will stick to the right.
Shifting the latter out wide will allow Pep to start Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne into the heart of his attack.
Attack
Erling Haaland will of course start up front, looking to add to his goals tally of 51 and fire City to a second Champions League final.
Predicted City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
