Who should start in the Manchester City defence against Real Madrid? | OneFootball

There were a host of solid performers for Manchester City in their 3-1 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park. Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Matheus Nunes put in impressive performances at the back as City booked their place in the quarter-final stage of this season’s FA Cup. Up next for Pep Guardiola’s side is the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Looking at the City defence, a host of players are in form. It would be a major surprise if Stones of Ake started at the Bernabeu. So that would leave Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Matheus Nunes, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Abdukodir Khusanov as the players who will.be contending to start at the back against Real Madrid. Finding the ideal backline to face off with Real Madrid isn’t immediately clear.

How Manchester City line up at the back at the Bernabeu isn’t a straightforward selection.

The first assumption regarding the Manchester City defense against Real Madrid is that Rayan Ait-Nouri will start at left-back. It is hard to see another player in that position at the Bernabeu. The safe assumption would be that Matheus Nunes would start at right-back. However, there is a case for Abdukodir Khusanov to start at right-back, offering pace and strength against Vinicius Junior. That being said, Matheus Nunes deserves to start at right-back in Madrid.

The question seems to be who will start at centre-back against Real Madrid. Starting Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi would be the safe bet. The pair offer experience and leadership which will be vital in the cauldron that is the Bernabeu. Dias and Guehi have formed a strong centre-back pairing for City so they would be the favorite to start in the heart of Manchester City’s defence against Real Madrid.

Abdukodir Khusanov is the wildcard. Khusanov was superb against Newcastle in City’s win at St. James’ Park. Khusanov’s pace and strength in a challenge, accompanied by his ability to read danger, saw him play superbly well against Eddie Howe’s side. There is a strong argument to be made that Khusanov was Manchester City’s man-of-the-match against Newcastle instead of Savinho. If Pep Guardiola wants a quick defender to combat Real Madrid’s pace, perhaps Khusanov starts instead of Dias at the Bernabeu.

Final thoughts.

How Manchester City line up in defence against Real Madrid seems obvious, but with Khusanov in such strong form it isn’t as clear cut a selection as it seems. The assumption is that Guehi, Matheus Nunes and Rayan Ait-Nouri will all start. There is case for Ruben Dias to start with his experience and leadership. Khusanov offers something different with his pace and strength, so whichever centre-back starts out of Dias and Khusanov, Manchester City should have a string defence to contend with the threat that Real Madrid offers in the final third.