Man City vs Real Madrid: Teams announced as key defender returns for Champions League semi-final

John Stones has been passed fit for Manchester City’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid, although Kyle Walker hasn’t recovered in time.

The defensive duo were doubts ahead of the game, with both players missing Monday’s open training session.

But Stones has made it back in time for the huge clash with Carlo Ancelotti’s men, and looks likely to start at right-back.

He’s one of four changes to the team, with Stones, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden coming in from the weekend win over Watford.

It’s Ederson in goal for City, with a back four of Stones, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

In midfield, Rodri will be part of a trio that includes Kevin De Bruyne and Silva, but it’s up front where the surprise comes, with Gabriel Jesus retaining his place from the weekend. He’s likely to start centrally, with Mahrez and Foden out wide.

As for the visitors, David Alaba has been declared fit and starts at the heart of defence for Real Madrid, while Casemiro, who was also a doubt ahead of the game, is on the bench.

The latter’s absence means Federico Valverde is likely to start in midfield, and Rodrygo on the right wing.

Teams in full

Manchester City: Ederson, Stones, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko; Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva; Mahrez, Jesus, Foden.

Substitutions: Steffen, Carson, Ake, Mbete, Egan-Riley, Fernandinho, Lavia, Gundogan, Palmer, McAtee, Grealish, Sterling.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Moric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.

Substitutions: Lunin, Fuidas, Vallejo, Nacho, Asensio, Marcelo, Casemiro, Vazquez, Bale, Ceballos, Isco, Camavigna.