Manchester City will be heading into tonight’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid in a buoyant mood following the positivity from the weekend.
After thrashing Luton Town on Saturday, City fans watched in disbelief as both Liverpool and Arsenal lost in the Premier League. However, the title race advantage will be cast to one side when the Blues face Los Blancos.
City will be looking to draw inspiration from last year’s semi-final as the Blues decimated Real 4-0 at the Etihad after drawing the first leg 1-1. Ahead of the big game, MEN Sport has attempted to predict the line-up Pep Guardiola shall choose.
Goalkeeper – Ederson
The Brazilian shot-stopper missed the first leg at the Bernabeu but was back for the thumping against Luton. For this crucial second leg, it would be difficult to envisage Guardiola not starting his first choice.
Defenders – Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji
Both Walker and Stones did not feature against Luton at the weekend and it seems obvious this was to ensure that they were both fully fit to take on Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Dias’ performances at centre-back this season mean that only one position is up for grabs in the backline.
We have chosen Akanji to complete the defence but it could easily be Josko Gvardiol in the squad considering his goals in the last two matches.
Midfielders – Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden
Arguably this is the best midfield in Europe at the moment and you would not be surprised to see Guardiola implement it tonight. The double-pronged central midfield of De Bruyne and Foden is a striker’s dream while Rodri should be fresh after his rest on Saturday.
Forwards – Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku
Haaland shall enter this clash with perhaps something to prove. The Norwegian was slated in the Spanish press after failing to score at the Bernabeu and will be hoping to set that record straight tonight.
It may seem harsh on Jack Grealish but Doku’s directness could be incredibly useful against Real. If he wins his first one-on-one tonight you can guarantee the Etihad will be rocking and it shall be a real test of Madrid’s mettle.
