Nine Real Madrid and Manchester City players at risk of Champions League suspension | OneFootball

A number of Real Madrid and Manchester City players are at serious risk of being suspended for the second-leg of the last-16 tie between the two sides.

The high-stakes nature of this week’s clash at the Bernabéu is compounded by the disciplinary tightrope several key individuals are walking coming into the first portion of 90 minutes for the two clubs.

UEFA’s Champions League regulations state that any player who accumulates three yellow cards – or any subsequent odd number of bookings – from the league phase onwards is suspended for the next match.

In fact, an amnesty only comes into effect upon completion of the Champions League quarter-finals when all yellow card totals are wiped.

Real Madrid’s Discipline Crisis: The Six Stars on the Brink

The tension is particularly high for Real Madrid already, who enter the knockout rounds with a squad stretched by somewhat of an injury crisis, and avoiding the referee’s notebook may be as much a part of the tactical brief as the game plan itself.

For the home side on Wednesday night, a five-man list of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Dean Huijsen and Aurelien Tchouameni are all one yellow card away from picking up a suspension.

Elsewhere for the Spanish giants, Alvaro Carreras has already picked up four bookings in European competition so far this season, and a further card will see him banned.

City’s Young Guard: O’Reilly and Savinho Walking the Tightrope

As for those in Sky Blue at Manchester City, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Savinho are also one yellow card away from a one-game ban that would land on the second-leg against Alvaro Arbeloa’s side next week.

The former – who is eligible for his Champions League debut this week – picked up cautions in Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League meetings with AZ Alkmaar and Kuopion Palloseura prior to joining the Etihad Stadium side.

Losing the likes of Vinicius or Tchouameni would be a devastating blow for the hosts, especially given that stars like Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Mbappe are already in the middle of a battle to return to fitness.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s defensive depth is particularly vulnerable with Alvaro Carreras having been a frequent offender in the bookings department this term, and the prospect of losing his primary left-back for the Manchester trip will be a genuine concern.

Manchester City’s list is shorter, yet the names involved are no less vital to Pep Guardiola’s current system.

Marc Guehi has had a transformational impact since arriving at the club in January, offering many crucial blocks to secure big points in the Premier League, and will be hoping to transfer that form into Europe’s premier club competition.

Nico O’Reilly – arguably the breakout star of the ongoing season – has become a tactical linchpin through his operations at left-back during the first-half of the season, before moving into a central role.

Alongside the creative flair of Savinho, the pair represent a significant portion of Manchester City’s transitional threat, and their absence next week may force a significant reshuffle depending on the outcome of the first-leg.