Manchester City have an almost fully-fit squad for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola confirmed ahead of the semi-final second leg that Nathan Ake will be absent through injury but he is the only player missing for the Blues, and everyone else was spotted training on Tuesday in the build-up to the huge encounter.
It leaves City with a dilemma at left-back. Manuel Akanji seems like the most obvious choice to replace Ake, but the ex-Borussia Dortmund defender has underwhelmed in his last two matches, including in the first leg at the Bernabeu last week.
An alternative for Guardiola is Aymeric Laporte, who has struggled for regular minutes this season but has featured more often in recent weeks. Laporte impressed against Everton at the weekend and is more of a natural selection at left-back. The Spanish international is also left-footed, which could help with the team’s build-up play.
Other than that, it seems like City’s team picks itself and Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday that Kevin De Bruyne was rested at Goodison Park rather than injured. John Stones was also an unused substitute on Merseyside, while Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish came off the bench.
In addition, Guardiola managed to replace Ruben Dias, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland in the second half on Sunday. It provided a hint as to who could start against Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the semi-final second leg.
With all that in mind, here’s how we think City will line-up when Los Blancos come to the Etihad…
5. LB: Manuel Akanji
The Swiss international has been favoured above Laporte at left-back since Ake’s injury.
6. DM: Rodri
Will have a real battle up against Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the middle.
7. CM: Ilkay Gundogan
City’s in-form man at present and Gundogan scored an incredible goal against Everton last week.
8. CM: Kevin De Bruyne
Netted a fantastic strike in the first leg and will be the man trying to exploit in any gaps in the Madrid defence.