Manchester City will clash heads with Real Madrid at the Etihad on Tuesday evening, hoping to pick up a positive result in the first leg of the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The Citizens will be heading into the contest on the back of an emphatic 5-1 win against Watford, whereas the Los Blancos recorded a comfortable 3-1 victory over Osasuna.
Team News
Kyle Walker (who twisted his ankle in the Champions League game against Atletico Madrid) and John Stones (muscular issue) remain doubtful ahead of the midweek clash.
Joao Cancelo remains suspended after picking up his third booking of the competition in the second-leg draw with Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Pep Guardiola will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game as Phil Foden likely makes his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup Vs Real Madrid
Defence
Ederson Moraes will operate in between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Brazilian shot-stopper would hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Tuesday.
Ruben Dias will form the centre-half partnership with Aymeric Laporte at the heart of City’s backline.
Kyle Walker might start at the right-back position, whereas Oleksandr Zinchenko will fill in on the other flank as the left-back. The full-backs will be expected to stay compact and keep their shape defensively.
Midfield
Rodri might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Bernardo Silva will slot into the central midfield role, whereas Kevin de Bruyne is expected to start in the attacking midfield position. The duo would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Ilkay Gundogan will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could come on to make a cameo appearance in the second half.
Attack
Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.
Raheem Sterling will lead the line for Manchester City in midweek. The England international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the Madrid defence that has kept just one clean sheet in their last five matches across all competitions.
