The Spanish team arrives at the Champions League quarter-final with a nine-day rest since their last ... [+]
For the third year in a row, Real Madrid take on Manchester City in the Champions League, though unlike the two previous years, this time they will meet in the quarter-final stage rather than the semi-finals as has been the case in 2022 and 2023.
Real Madrid advanced in dramatic circumstances in 2022 on their way to lift the trophy in Paris, while Manchester City did so before they won in Istanbul in 2023. This time, they meet again as two of the favorites to lift the trophy.
However, after defeat last time-out, Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to mix things up and to surprise Pep Guardiola. His team will already have a different look to it, given the arrival of Jude Bellingham in midfield and the absence of Karim Benzema, who left in the summer. Other key players from last season’s meeting, such as Luka Modrić and Thibaut Courtois, are also unlikely to start with the Belgian goalkeeper out injured and the Croatian out of favor.
The home team for the first leg will also benefit from the advantage of having an extended break leading into this encounter, having not played since Sunday, March 31, against a weakened Athletic Club side in a routine 2-0 win at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
“Madrid have nine days to prepare for our game. Nine days! They play this weekend and then not again until our game – while I am thinking, ‘Oh, just give me one more day!’ With one more day the difference is a lot – but there is no chance,” Pep Guardiola raged in a press conference recently.
Ancelotti’s toughest decision
The biggest decision facing Carlo Ancelotti is regarding the holding midfield role and the central defensive partner for Antonio Rüdiger. The pair are linked heavily because Frenchman Aurelién Tchouameni is likely to be in contention for both.
Rüdiger is among the first names on the team-sheet, but Ancelotti has alternated between his captain, Nacho Fernández, and Tchouameni in defence. That has only been further encouraged by the questionable form of veteran Nacho, who has been sent off twice already this season.
That would free up Tchouameni to feature in midfield, but he could fall out of favor behind his compatriot Eduardo Camavinga. The energetic alternative would provide a more dynamic option if Ancelotti were to pursue a pressing strategy, though Tchouameni has been a more regular first choice this season.
Real Madrid injury and suspension news against Manchester City
The good news for Ancelotti is that he has most of his key players available. Those unavailable include long-term injured Thibaut Courtois, who was hoping to be available but suffered a setback in his return to action, and David Alaba, who is not expected to return this season.
The only other doubt will be Dani Ceballos. A muscle strain is believed to have seen him miss training late last week, which makes him a doubt to be on the bench. Even so, he has played a grand total of four minutes since his last start for the team, in January against Las Palmas.
Despite that good news, Ancelotti will have to consider that he currently has four players who are only one yellow card away from a suspension which would see them miss the return fixture at the Etihad Stadium next week. Those include several key players in the form of Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelién Tchouameni.
Real Madrid’s expected line-up against Manchester City
Expected line-up for Real Madrid against Manchester City: Andriy Lunin; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Nacho Fernández, Ferland Mendy; Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes and Vinícius Júnior.
Off the bench, Manchester City fans can expect to see Aurelién Tchouameni, Luka Modrić, Joselu, Brahim Díaz and Lucas Vázquez, who have featured regularly at times. Other names could include Éder Militão, who made his first appearance since August against Athletic Club, Turkish teenager Arda Güler or left-back Fran García
