How will Real Madrid and Manchester City face off? Home without a mainstay, Citizens return key back

As tensions rise, Madrid woke up Wednesday morning in a football mood. Home side Real welcome Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final and a thrilling spectacle is expected. But cool heads must be kept by the coaches, who must choose the right line-up.

Real Madrid

Let’s start with Real Madrid at home. Carlo Ancelotti regularly relies on a tried and tested eleven, but don’t expect the experiments that Pep Guardiola uses to surprise his opponents.

If he could, Ancelotti wouldn’t change a thing. But unfortunately, the mainstay of the defensive line, David Alaba, is out due to injury. The Italian coach has already unveiled at a press conference that he will be replaced by Nacho, one of the team’s captains.

Ancelotti, however, will surely welcome the return of Casemiro, who missed the Etihad Stadium due to injury. With him, more defensive stability returns, after all Toni Kroos is not an outright defensive midfielder and this role did not suit him well.

Thus, the only question mark in the line-up for the 62-year-old is on the right wing. In recent months, Frederico Valverde has been one of the cornerstones of the lineup and has been putting in great performances. But Rodrygo has also come into great form, firing Real with two league goals at the weekend. But the young Brazilian is better as a joker off the bench, so the Uruguayan is expected to start.

Real Madrid’s likely line-up

Courtois
Carvajal – Militao – Nacho – F.Mendy
Kroos – Casemiro – Modric
Valverde – Benzema – Vinícius

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola can breathe a sigh of relief. He is bringing back key full-back João Cancelo, who missed the first game due to cards. On the left wing, Vinícius is in the form of his life and he enjoyed Fernandinho’s first game, scoring an important goal after a solo effort. He will have a much harder time with Cancelo.

The question is how it will be with Kyle Walker. Guardiola has said he will wait to see how he feels on match day, but his start is unlikely. Additionally, Zinchenko had a great first game at left back.

Thus, the biggest question mark is how the Spanish coach will put it together in the offense. He has several options there, but the most likely is the same trio as in the opening game. Nothing should change in the midfield either.

Manchester City’s likely line-up

Ederson
Cancelo – Ruben Dias – Laporte – Zinchenko
Rodri
Bernardo Silva – De Bruyne
Mahrez – Jesus – Foden

Ancelotti will be able to liven up the game from the bench with Rodrigo, Camavinga, Ceballos or Asensio. Guardiola can point to Grealish, Sterling or Gündogan.

Source: UEFA