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Having navigated a brief defensive injury crisis after the international break, Pep Guardiola has a fully fit squad at his disposal for Manchester City’s quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid.
The Cityzens, despite a couple of notable absences, escaped the Bernabeu with a 3-3 draw last Tuesday in a contest littered with xG defiance.
The two sides will reconvene at the Etihad on Wednesday with a semi-final place at stake, and here’s how Guardiola could set his City team up for Madrid’s visit.
GK: Ederson – The Brazilian was back between the sticks on Saturday having missed over a month of action with a muscle injury. He’ll start on Wednesday after sitting out the first leg.
CB: Kyle Walker – Madrid took full advantage of Walker’s absence last week as Carlo Ancelotti overloaded the left flank with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian pair will have a returning Walker and his age-less recovery pace to contend with in Manchester.
CB: Ruben Dias – The Portuguese defender will resume his role at the heart of City’s backline. Madrid may identify Dias as a potential weak spot given his indifferent season.
CB: Josko Gvardiol – Gvardiol was one of those xG defiers in the Spanish capital, handing City a 3-2 lead with a superb weak-footed effort from range. The Croatian star is certainly finding his feet and he was back among the goals on Saturday.
CM: John Stones – Guardiola has been cautious with Stones given his fragility. Fortunately, the majestic hybrid performer is fully fit for Madrid‘s visit.
CM: Rodri – City won in Rodri’s absence at the weekend, with Guardiola giving the Spaniard a deserved rest. He’ll be back in the side on Wednesday.
RM: Bernardo Silva – Bernardo’s moment of ingenuity gave City the lead last Tuesday and he ran riot against Madrid in last season’s semi-final at the Etihad.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – The Belgian has endured peaks and troughs since returning from a long-term hamstring injury. Having endured a pair of quiet outings in succession, De Bruyne will be keen to star here.
AM: Phil Foden – Foden has emerged as City’s leading man going forward, with the Englishman scoring a wonderful goal at the Bernabeu. The marvellous playmaker was rested at the weekend.
LM: Jack Grealish – Grealish was preferred over Jeremy Doku in Spain, and despite the Belgian enjoying a productive outing against Luton Town, Guardiola will likely return Grealish to the XI.
ST: Erling Haaland – Shackled again by Antonio Rudiger last week, Haaland surely can’t go four games on the bounce without scoring against Los Blancos, can he?
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