As Manchester City trail 3-2 against Real Madrid after the first leg of the playoff round in the Champions League, they have a sizable task at hand heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ruud Gullit felt sorry for Pep Guardiola against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium as individual mistakes cost them as they blew a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute and they were punished by a vintage comeback from Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
But all hope is not lost for Manchester City as their latest 4-0 demolition job of Newcastle United suggests that they are in a much better place as a side than they were when they lost 5-1 to Arsenal.
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Pep Guardiola will especially be motivated to do a number on Real Madrid as they beat them on penalties in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season. Furthermore, Guardiola’s affiliation with Barcelona has perhaps made this fixture far more meaningful to him than over the years than others.
Ahead of Manchester City’s much-awaited clash against Real Madrid, there are plenty of talking points regarding the visitors’ team news.
Manchester City team news vs Real Madrid
First of all, Manuel Akanji has picked up a serious injury that he suffered against the Spanish giants that is set to rule him out of action for around eight to 10 weeks.
Akanji, who started as a makeshift right-back against Real Madrid is not fit for selection, which means Pep Guardiola’s only options in the position remain Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes and Abdukodir Khusanov.
Alongside the Swiss international, Oscar Bobb and Rodri are still injured and not ready to partake against Los Blancos.
Furthermore, journalist Joe Bray revealed that Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Jack Grealish were all training ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
Dias and Ake had previously picked up knocks while Grealish had to be taken off early against Real Madrid due to suffering an injury. Pep Guardiola confirmed Haaland’s knock was not a worry as such but considering he is training, it seems like the Norwegian has fully recovered from the pain in his knee he suffered against Newcastle.
Omar Marmoush to start and Savinho to be dropped vs Real Madrid
Starting in goal, Ederson Moraes’ impressive display against the Magpies may have confirmed his spot in Manchester City’s XI against Real Madrid — despite the high-profile errors that the Brazilian made against the reigning champions of Europe last time around.
At right-back, Lewis could keep his place in the side as starting Matheus Nunes in an unfamiliar position to contend with Vinicius Jr could be a massive risk and the same applies to Khusanov.
John Stones, who shone in defensive midfield against Real Madrid the last time both sides met could start once again but in his usual centre-back role. Dias could accompany Stones, as the Portuguese defender’s presence is always a must in any do-or-die game.
The former Benfica centre-back’s potential inclusion could mean Khusanov drops to the bench, with Josko Gvardiol likely to retain his place at left-back as well. Nico Gonzalez impressed Manchester City fans against Newcastle and with how well the 23-year-old fared, he could start as the Sky Blues’ holding midfielder again.
But Ilkay Gundogan, who partnered the Spaniard could miss out, with Pep Guardiola favouring Bernardo Silva’s presence in particular in big games. Bernardo, who was rested against Eddie Howe’s side could start once again, much like Kevin De Bruyne — who seems dead set to return to the side with Savinho potentially being informed to watch the game from the sidelines.
Savinho, who cost £21 million might feel unfortunate not to start as he excellent against Newcastle, however.
Moving on the front three, Erling Haaland seems guaranteed to start alongside Omar Marmoush, who has blown Gary Neville away after scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle as well as Phil Foden, who looked sharp on the weekend as well. With Dias, Bernardo and De Bruyne possibly returning to the side, Pep Guardiola could make three changes from the team that started the previous game.
Manchester City predicted line-up vs Real Madrid: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland, Marmoush
