Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Latest City injury and team news, and predicted City starting eleven | OneFootball

Manchester City face the unenviable task of trying to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Real Madrid tonight at the Etihad Stadium. City were on the end of a heavy defeat to Alvaro Arbeloa’s side in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Bernabeu last week. All Pep Guardiola’s side can do is have a real crack at Real Madrid tonight and see where that leads. Real Madrid’s pedigree in the Champions League is well-known. So the task in front of Manchester City is a sizable one but they aren’t without hope tonight.

Here is the latest City injury news and my predicted, or favoured, City starting eleven for tonight’s match.

Latest Manchester City injury news.

Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined due to a right tibial fracture for tonight’s match and the foreseeable future. That isn’t a surprise. It would be a surprise if Gvardiol returned at all this season for Manchester City. John Stones and Savinho missed Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with West Ham due to minor ankle and hamstring injuries. A report from the Manchester Evening News indicates that the pair could return to the City squad for tonight’s match against Real Madrid.

Mateo Kovacic was an unused substitute at the London Stadium on the weekend. It is unlikely that the Croatian midfielder will start tonight but he could make the bench for tonight’s match.

Pep Guardiola has a plethora of options to choose from for tonight’s match. The hope is that Guardiola doesn’t try an elaborate starting lineup like he did at the Bernabeu last week and sticks with a system that gives his side the best opportunity to pull off a miracle tonight. Also, City need creative players to unlock Real Madrid’s defence, so hopefully Rayan Cherki or Phil Foden, or both, start tonight’s match.

Predicted City starting eleven.

Rather than predicting what lineup Pep Guardiola will go for tonight, I’ve gone with a lineup that I’d like to see tonight. Manchester City’s squad players need an opportunity to start a big game and that could also give Rodri and Bernardo Silva a rest, with the Carabao Cup final on the horizon against Arsenal. The City defence picks itself given that City need to win by three goals to level the tie. Matheus Nunes should start at right-back to provide width and attacking quality. Rayan Ait-Nouri or Nico O’Reilly are the favorites to start at left-back tonight.

In midfield, City need creativity and a goal threat. Nico should start given that he can do a job in midfield as he’s shown all season. That way Rodri can be saved in case of emergency. I expect Bernardo Silva to start, but tonight could be the night to play Tijjani Reijnders in a deeper midfield role. The Champions League isn’t as physical as the Premier League and that could allow Reijnders to start in his preferred role. Phil Foden is my pick to join them in midfield given that Manchester City need goals tonight.

Up front, I’ve gone with Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, and Jeremy Doku. Doku was Manchester City’s best attacking player at the Bernabeu. Haaland remains Manchester City’s best striker despite his recent struggles, and City need a big performance from him tonight. Rayan Cherki has to start as City needs his creativity tonight. Haaland needs service, and Cherki is the player to unlock the low defensive block I expect Real Madrid to employ tonight.