The return of Luka Modric is the chief team news for Real Madrid, who host Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that midfielder Luka Modric is fit to start today’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City, so the Real Madrid boss will be able to pick his strongest XI - almost.
Rüdiger to deputise for Militão in defence
The only first-choice player unavailable to Los Blancos is defender Éder Militão, who serves a one-match suspension for accumulated bookings. The Brazilian will be replaced by Antonio Rüdiger, who will partner David Alaba at centre-back. Rüdiger and Alaba haven’t played together as the starting central-defensive pairing since the Club World Cup in February.
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Kroos at the base of the midfield
In all, there are expected to be two changes to the Madrid side that began Saturday’s Copa del Rey final victory over Osasuna. Modric’s return to the team will see Aurélien Tchouaméni drop to the bench, with Toni Kroos shifting to anchorman in the Frenchman’s absence. “I played as the holding midfielder against Barcelona and Chelsea and it worked out well,” the German told reporters in his pre-match press conference yesterday.
Thibaut Courtois remains undroppable in goal, and Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga will be the full-backs. Fede Valverde will be the third member of the midfield alongside Kroos and Modric, and in attack, Ancelotti will field his now established front three: Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema and Vinícius Júnior have scored 67 goals between them this season.
Mendy and Ceballos join Militão on sidelines
In addition to Militão, Madrid are also without Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos, who are both recovering from injury. However, Ceballos has been included in the European champions’ matchday squad so that he can be alongside his team-mates as they prepare for today’s last-four clash.
Real Madrid’s possible line-up vs Manchester City:
Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema and Vinícius.
Nobody on a booking
All outstanding yellow cards were wiped after the Champions League quarter-finals, so no Madrid players are a booking away from missing the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 17 May.