The starting lineup for Real Madrid’s second-leg UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup against Manchester City has already been determined by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
According to reports, the Italian will go back to his typical 4-3-1-2 formation, with Nacho coming in to fill in for the suspended Aurelien Tchouameni.
Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, and Ferland Mendy will round up the defense. On the opposite side, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camaving, and Toni Kroos will be in the midfield.
Starboy Jude Bellingham, who played in a deeper role in the first leg, will resume his advanced role, with players like Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo continuing to lead the charge.
A game with a lot at stakes
At the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, Real Madrid will continue to draw strength from their illustrious past in an effort to earn a vital victory over Manchester City.
The Los Blancos had not won on this field in their previous five visits due to their historical struggles.
Their record is made up of two draws and three losses; their most recent setback was in the previous edition’s semifinals, where they were soundly defeated 4-0 following a 1-1 tie in the first leg.
However, Real Madrid’s last Champions League loss at the stadium dates back to September 2018, when they were defeated by Lyon in the group stage. This does not bode well for Pep Guardiola’s team, who has transformed the Etihad into a formidable bastion.
Pep is Madrid’s nightmare
This Wednesday will be Guardiola’s eighth matchup versus Real Madrid since he joined Manchester City. The two have met seven times overall.
Guardiola’s team has so far amassed four victories, two draws, and just one loss. They have scored 17 goals and given up 12 in these games.
Guardiola’s team defeated Real Madrid twice in the head-to-head matches: once in the 2019–20 season’s round of 16 and once more in the 2022–23 season’s semifinals.
But Real Madrid was the one who won in the 2021–2022 season semifinals. Now, as they face each other again this Wednesday, the outcome of this fourth-round clash is eagerly awaited.