Bidding to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, Manchester City welcome holders Real Madrid in the first leg of the play-off tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Sky Blues pulled off a comeback win over Club Brugge at home on the final matchday of the Champions League’s league phase to avoid the embarrassment of an early exit from the competition. They have not been in rip-roaring form for months now and only eked out an unimpressive 2-1 FA Cup win at third-tier Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola knows the task at hand on Tuesday and will expect an improved display from his boys against Real Madrid, who head to Manchester off the back of a 1-1 draw with cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of the Champions League showdown with Real Madrid after January signing Nico Gonzalez suffered an injury against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.
All set for a first @ChampionsLeague outing in blue! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/W4Fz4e0WNn
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 10, 2025
Pep Guardiola could not say how severe Gonzalez’s issue was immediately after the game, so he joins Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku, and Ederson on the doubtful list. Ruben Dias is only just returning from a muscle injury and came off after the first half against Leyton Orient, although Guardiola revealed the substitution was pre-planned.
Meanwhile, Rodri remains a long-term casualty.
Predicted Manchester City lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Ederson is back in training after missing the last few games, so there is every chance he starts in goal against Real Madrid.
Defence
Matheus Nunes has been deputising at right-back since Kyle Walker’s departure to AC Milan, and the Portuguese is again expected to start in defence.
Ruben Dias got much-needed 45 minutes in his tank on Saturday after returning from injury and he should be fresh to start alongside Manuel Akanji in central defence. Meanwhile, Josko Gvardiol is certain to continue as the left-back in the Manchester City lineup.
Midfield
With Nico Gonzalez unlikely to feature, Mateo Kovacic should operate in a deeper midfield role. The Croat’s presence should allow Bernardo Silva to dictate the tempo of play from the No.8 role.
After producing an impactful display off the bench and scoring the winner against Leyton Orient, Kevin de Bruyne is pushing to start against Real Madrid. The Belgian’s eye for pass and flair could cause problems for Madrid’s patched-up defence.
Attack
Erling Haaland is a sure-fix starter up top, flanked by Savinho and Phil Foden in the Manchester City lineup. The Norwegian should be fresh to feature after enjoying a rare day off last weekend. Savinho and Foden should try to make in-roads from wide areas and create opportunities for Haaland in the box.
