THE In the second stage of the Champions League direct elimination qualifiers Wednesday evening, ends, titled by one of the great cross rivalries on the continent of recent years in Real Madrid against Manchester City. It is the hosts who hold the advantage entering the second floor, two late goals at the Etihad stadium by obtaining an advance of 3-2 for Madrid to return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The two parties will need to distribute after what was exhausting campaigns for their pair. Madrid transpires on the physical form of two senior central files which missed the first leg, while for the supporters of the city, the hope is that the training session on Tuesday puts in bed all persistent fear on the early exit of ‘Erling Haaland of the victory over Newcastle United. Here is what we expect to see on both sides at the Bernabeu.
real Madrid
As in the first leg, the defense will offer the greatest headache to Carlo Ancelotti. First, known absent. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao suffered knee injuries earlier in the campaign that is probably at the end of the season and with the January transfer window offering no strengthening, Madrid has already been stretched.
It seemed that it could be beyond Breaking Point before the first stage of last week when Antonio Rudiger (ischio-legs) and David Alaba (adductor), himself went up for a major knee problem, were excluded. Since the victory at Manchester Ancelotti has expressed its optimism that the two will be available, but neither has played in the 1-1 draw on Saturday in Osasuna. Lucas Vazquez, which Encelotti did not confirm either that it would not be sufficient for a place on the bench.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: How to return to the Champions League could save the season for Pep Guardiola
James Benge
To complicate things, what Ancelotti called “discomfort” that Federico Valverde, ready to fill in the right back, felt the weekend. He hinted that Raul Asencio could move up with Aurelien Tchouameni next to a rudiger recovered in the center-center. On the back left, Ferland Mendy seems to be the only one near locking for the back line.
If Valverde be in good shape, however, there will surely be a temptation to deploy the same bottom line This earned the praise of Ancelotti in the first step; Unless he is sure that Rudiger or Alaba are ready to leave, he may not change things. Admittedly, higher in the field, there is no logic to play with a team that controlled the battle with Etihad with authority.
A question that will play in the angle spirit is the six players who could miss the round of 16 games at first glance against Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen if they are reserved. These are: Rudiger, Tchouameni, Endrick, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavonga.
Possible Real Madrid XI: Courteous; Valverde, Sencio, Rudigger, Mendy; Rodrygo, Camavonga, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mbape, viniicus junior
Manchester City
For 87 minutes, it seemed that nothing happened according to Manchester City obtained three major points in their battle to be back in the Champions League next season, crushing Newcastle United 4-0 at ETIHAD. Then Haaland landed awkwardly and immediately removed the procedure, treating what seemed to be pain in his knee. Losing their highest attacker would surely be bothering luck “one percent” that Pep Guardiola gave his side to pass in front of Real Madrid.
However, speaking after the match, the city boss seemed optimistic about Haaland’s status, saying “maybe it is not bad because it could be” since he had not been transported by Club medical staff. N ° 9 is still a doubt, just like Jack Grenish, whose brilliant pass has helped to offer Haaland his first goal in the first leg. The English international drink from this match with an injury, like Manuel Akanji, sidelined up to 10 weeks after undergoing surgery on his adductor.
Nathan AKE is also a doubt with muscle problems, although even if it is also missing, the city should almost have the bodies to face in defense. Further on, the January window brought options for Guardiola. Neither Nico Gonzalez nor Omar Marmoush started the first step, it is difficult to believe that they will also be absent from the XI in the Bernabeu. The first deserved the title “Mini-Rodri” by Guardiola, the second marked a first round of the first half that spoke to a booming partnership with Haaland and an ability to take the scoring when the Norwegian n ‘ is not at its best.
Possible Manchester City XI: Ederson; Lewis, stones, dias, garden; Gonzalez, Silva; Savinho, brushne, marble; Haaland
