CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Real Madrid - Manchester City lineups: Confirmed team news for Champions League quarter-final
Pep Guardiola’s team travel to Santiago Bernabéu full of confidence, but without first-choice defenders Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake.
The Champions League returns this week with four fascinating quarter-final fixtures, bringing together the great and the good of European soccer in do-or-die knock-out ties. But of all the glittering games, the meeting of Real Madrid and Manchester City shines the brightest. Madrid and City have won the last two iterations of the Champions League and are among the favourites to be crowned European champions again at Wembley Stadium this June.
Los Blancos have come to view continental success as their birthright and, with 14 titles to their name, they are by far the most decorated team in the competition’s illustrious history. But City are the reigning holders, the 2022/23 treble winners, and boast an array of elite talents, a hall-of-fame manager and a ruthlessly clinical style of play.
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Confirmed: Real Madrid team news
Confirmed: Manchester City team news
Why isn’t Eder Militão playing for Real Madrid?
Madrid supporters will have been delighted by the recent return from injury of Eder Militão. The Brazilian suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury early in the season but made his long-awaited comeback in the recent victory over Athletic Club. However his return was limited to a two-minute cameo in injury time, meaning that he has had precious little time to prepare himself for the mite of Manchester City.
Madrid benefitted from a weekend away from LaLiga action and Carlo Ancelotti has a strong squad at his disposal for the UCL first leg at the Bernabéu. The only two confirmed absences for Madrid are that of Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba. Both players are suffering knee injuries that have kept them out for the vast majority of the 2023/24 season. Last month Courtois suffered a rupture to his meniscus as he neared his return to the team following an ACL injury, setting back his rehabilitation significantly.
Why isn’t Kyle Walker playing for Manchester City?
Madrid have suffered with defensive absences this season but City too have seen their backline decimated by recent injuries. Stalwart full-back Kyle Walker sustained a hamstring injury while away on international duty last month and has not travelled with the team. Ahead of the game, Manchester City supporters were quick to point out Walker’s value against a pacey Madrid attack.
Nathan Ake, too, was not named in the matchday squad after missing City’s last two games with a calf complaint. Fellow defender Josko Gvardiol is also a doubt after missing training on Monday, although he has travelled to the Spanish capital. City may be forced to field young Rico Lewis at right back, putting him up against Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior.
Unlike Madrid, City were in domestic action just three days ago and the quick turnaround has clearly been a concern for Guardiola. Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Manuel Akanji were all benched for last weekend’s victory over Crystal Palace. That trio look set to return for Tuesday’s rematch at the Bernabéu, as does first-choice goalkeeper Ederson after the Brazilian returned to the squad against Palace.