Real Madrid visit Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the tie on a knife edge after last week’s 3-3 first-leg draw in Spain.
With Aurélien Tchouaméni unavailable, Nacho Fernández is set to partner Antonio Rüdiger in Real Madrid’s central defence today, as Los Blancos bid to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the fourth season in a row.
Madrid travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City, having drawn 3-3 with the defending European champions in an entertaining quarter-final first leg at the Bernabéu last Tuesday.
Madrid opt not to rush Militão back
Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had been toying with the idea of bringing Éder Militão back into the heart of the Spaniards’ defence in Manchester. However, Ancelotti and his backroom team have finally decided that it is too early to give Militão his first start since the Brazilian’s return from a long-term injury lay-off.
Given that Tchouaméni serves a one-match suspension after picking up his third booking of the Champions League season in the opener against City, Ancelotti is poised to turn to veteran defender Nacho.
Despite his success in shackling City striker Erling Haaland, Rüdiger was left out of the Madrid team for last season’s semi-final second leg at the Etihad, which ended 4-0 to the hosts. This time, Ancelotti won’t be dispensing with the 31-year-old’s services.
In goal, Andriy Lunin is now firmly established as Madrid’s first-choice keeper - and will be tasked with making up for his error in the first leg. The Ukrainian, who has started Los Merengues’ last 14 games, was surprisingly beaten at his near post by Bernardo Silva’s free-kick at the Bernabéu, allowing City to take an early lead.
Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy will start at right and left-back, respectively. The latter was in the Lyon team that condemned City to their most recent home defeat in the Champions League, back in September 2018.
Bellingham out to atone for underwhelming first leg
In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga is expected to play alongside Toni Kroos in the centre, with Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham in more advanced roles either side of the Frenchman and the German. After his disappointing display in the first leg, Bellingham is now eyeing a statement performance.
Two of five likely starters who were held back in Mallorca at the weekend, Brazilian pair Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo Goes will return to the forward line at the Etihad.
Along with Carvajal, Camavinga and Bellingham, Vinícius is one of four Madrid players who are one yellow card away from missing the first leg of the semi-finals, if the 14-time European Cup winners get there.
Real Madrid’s potential line-up vs Manchester City:
Andriy Lunin; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Nacho Fernández, Ferland Mendy; Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Vinícius Júnior.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: start time, how to watch
Manchester City host Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium today, Wednesday 17 April 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm ET/12 noon PT. In the US, viewers can watch the Champions League semi-final second leg on CBS, TUDN USA, Paramount+ and ViX.