CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Manchester City possible starting XI against Real Madrid in Champions League
Here’s how the Premier League side may line up to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Pep Guardiola has all his attacking options back in contention to play against Real Madrid (Tuesday, April 9, 2024, KO 3 p.m. ET/ noon PT.). As for his key figures, both Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are ready to go again on the back of the weekend’s match against Crystal Palace. They were rested in midweek, in the previous tie against Aston Villa, when it was Phil Foden and Rodri who stole the show.
Bernardo Silva is an ever-present, while Jack Grealish and Jérémy Doku are also fit and fully recovered from the injuries they picked up. In addition, City can count on the wildcard Julián Álvarez, capable of playing in any of the attacking positions. The emergence this season of Oscar Bobb, promoted from the youth team, offers even more options in their already lethal attack.
Who will play for Manchester City against Real Madrid?
At the other end of the pitch, the defensive line that will be the main focus of Guardiola’s attention on the trip to Madrid. Kyle Walker was injured during the last international break and has yet to return to training with the rest of his teammates. He was also absent from Monday’s training ahead of the trip to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Nathan Aké and Josko Gvardiol were also absent. The Dutchman has been out of action since the match against Arsenal last week. The Croatian returned to the team on Saturday against Palace, but had to be substituted and on Monday he did not train with his teammates, although he has traveled.
Manchester City possible starting XI:
GK: Ederson/Ortega
DEF: Akanji - Rúben Dias - Stones
MID: Rodrigo - Lewis
ATT MID: Foden - Bernardo Silva - De Bruyne - Grealish
ATT: Haaland
Stones, who played on Saturday, could return to a backline that has been led by Rúben Dias and Manuel Akanji. Both central defenders arrived at City without making too much noise but they have emerged as keystones in the elite XI.
Ederson has returned to the squad at the weekend after almost a month on the sidelines. He was injured in the draw against Liverpool on March 10, but Stefan Ortega has more than made up for it. The German has played in all four of City’s games since then, conceding just three goals. It remains to be seen whether Guardiola keeps him in goal or prefers to bring Ederson into the team.