Real Madrid take on Manchester City at the Etihad with the hopes of breaching the English side’s fortress, which would be an exceptional feat as the men in white have never won a game there before. It is perhaps the match of the season for the European giants who would be bracing to create history tomorrow.
There are no new injury problems for Ancelotti as Éder Militão has traveled with the squad, and only Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba remain on the sidelines with their long-term injuries. It remains to be seen whether the Brazilian defender will get to see some action tomorrow.
The obvious absentee from the lineup would be Aurelién Tchouaméni, who procured a yellow card in the initial stages of the 1st leg and as a result, is suspended for this match.
Here is how Real Madrid is expected to lineup against Manchester City
Expected lineup:
GK: Andriy Lunin
The Ukrainian had an underwhelming 1st leg but kept a clean sheet the following week against Mallorca in a hard-fought victory. He will need to be at his best to prevent the City attack from causing damage.
RB: Dani Carvajal
He was rested for the league fixture last Saturday but came on in the final few minutes. The Spaniard had a fairly decent outing in the 1st leg and did not let any danger be caused from his flank and kept Jack Grealish quiet.
CB: Antonio Rüdiger
Kept Erling Haaland quiet in the 1st leg and would be tasked to do so once again at the Etihad. The German will have another tough task up his sleeve but he has done well in the past and his performance will be instrumental in Madrid’s defensive performance and their overall aim of advancing to the Champions League semi-finals.
CB: Nacho
The Italian manager can choose Nacho as Rudiger’s partner, as Militão still is not fully fit and again appeared only in stoppage time against Mallorca. However, Nacho has blown hot and cold this season, and would have to be solid to keep City’s forward line at bay.
LB: Ferland Mendy
The Frenchman has been the most underrated player this season. Although he does not contribute much offensively, defensively he has had some solid performances and kept Phil Foden quiet in the 1st half of the 1st leg. He would look to do it again this Wednesday and contribute to the team’s success in the tie.
CDM: Eduardo Camavinga
The Frenchman put on a great show in the 1st leg and it was his effort which led Madrid to open the scoring. Ancelotti will be hoping he can replicate that performance once again this Wednesday and help Madrid advance to the next round.
CM: Fede Valverde
The Uruguayan made his 44th consecutive start over the weekend in La Liga, showing how much Ancelotti has relied on him this season. It was his goal, which also won the Champions League Goal of the Week award, that helped the Merengues equalize late in the first leg. He would look to replicate last week’s performance or even do one better at the Etihad.
CM: Toni Kroos
The German was not involved in the game over the weekend as Ancelotti wanted him 100% ready for this crucial match. Was the orchestrator in the midfield in the first leg, which also led to praise from Pep Guardiola. These are stages he is well known to perform at and hopefully he will showcase his talents at the highest stage once again.
CAM: Jude Bellingham
The Englishman last scored a goal for Real back in February against Girona. Put on an average show in the first leg but looked hungry for goals against Mallorca as one of his shots hit the crossbar. He has scored at the Etihad before in a Dortmund jersey when the German side lost 2-1. Fair to say, he knows how to score when it matters the most.
ST: Rodrygo
Has been in sublime form since the international break and managed to slot one home in the 1st leg after a sumptuous pass from his fellow countryman, Vinícius. The 23-year-old knows a thing or two about scoring against City and would look to step up tomorrow.
ST: Vinícius Júnior
The Brazilian has proven himself to be a big game player for Real Madrid, especially in the Champions League. He has 3 goals and 4 assists in the competition this season, including a brace of assists in the 1st leg.
He will be up against Kyle Walker most probably and it will be an interesting battle. Him and Rodrygo would look to switch wings throughout the game, like they did in the 1st leg, and cause troubles for City’s backline.
