Carlo Ancelotti makes shock Real Madrid selection admission ahead of Man City second leg

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he could hand Eder Militao a surprise return to the team in the second leg of the club’s Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City next week.

The 14-time European champions head to the Etihad knowing they will have to win on the night in order to progress to the last four of the competition, and Madrid will also have to manage without one of their key players in the second leg.

Aurelien Tchouameni picked up a booking within the first minute of Tuesday’s 3-3 draw, following a foul on Jack Grealish. That was his third European caution of the campaign, resulting in an automatic on-match ban.

The Frenchman has filled in at centre-back on several occasions this season and was deployed in that role against City on Tuesday night. Experienced defender Nacho appears to be the obvious replacement for the suspended Tchouameni, but Ancelotti revealed post-match at the Bernabeu that he could select Militao instead.

“We have the option of Nacho, in whom we always have confidence, and also of Militao,” the former Chelsea and Everton boss told Movistar.

Militao’s return would be a surprise given the Brazilian last started a game for Madrid on 12 August - the opening weekend of the season. The 26-year-old suffered a cruciate ligament tear in the 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao and only returned to the side for the first time on 31 March. Militao was introduced as an injury-time substitute, which ironically came in the reverse La Liga meeting against Bilbao.

The ex-Porto man was an unused substitute in the first leg against City and his potential selection next week would be a bold call after an eight-month absence, especially up against Erling Haaland.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti said he was pleased with his side’s display against City, despite Madrid squandering a 2-1 half-time lead. “Very even match, competitive, fought... While we were able to have high pressure we did very well. We tried to take advantage of the transitions.

“What I wanted was to take a small advantage, but we have to be satisfied. We have competed and if we do so also in the second leg we can pass.”