Real Madrid host Manchester City in the Champions League

It ended 3-3 at Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg between the two teams

April 17, 2024, by Web Desk and Reference

Real Madrid host Manchester City in the Champions League: Kevin de Bruyne is likely to start the second leg of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

As Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol scored goals to help the visitors win the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu, De Bruyne sat on the bench.

During the last training session, Pep Guardiola had the full squad at his disposal as City prepare to play the 14-time Champions League champions at Etihad, a stadium where The Whites have never won and Cityzens last lost in 2018.

The participation of Kyle Walker, who missed the first leg, in the second leg remains uncertain due to the fact that he is still recovering from the injury he sustained during the international break, but De Bruyne is certain to start with Silva and Erling Haaland.

In City’s last Premier League game against Luton Town, Guardiola benched Rodri after the Spaniard complained he had played too much without resting. Cityzens are unbeaten in 66 matches under the defensive midfielder.

Madrid players, however, looked tired and their energy dropped during the match, conceding two goals from outside the box in a short time span despite having a nine-day rest ahead of the first-leg against City.

Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti rested key players during the weekend’s La Liga match against Mallorca. Despite Aurelien Tchouameni’s suspension for the second leg, Los Blancos won 1-0.

Despite the fact that Madrid’s lineup is likely to remain the same as what they have used in big matches this season with a 4-4-2 formation, Guardiola may decide to start Walker to counter Los Blancos’ attacking duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius, since they struggled greatly against them in the first leg.