Real Madrid vs Man City predicted lineups and team news | OneFootball

Real Madrid vs Man City predicted lineups

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Rüdiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham; Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé, Rodrygo

Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Silva, De Bruyne; Savinho, Foden, Marmoush; Haaland

In a thrilling first leg, Jude Bellingham scored a last-minute winner, leading the European Cup holders to a 3-2 victory over Pep Guardiola’s team. City took the lead twice through Erling Haaland, but each time, they were pegged back by Kylian Mbappe and substitute Brahim Diaz. Both sides had opportunities to score, hitting the woodwork several times.

After the match, John Stones expressed overwhelming feelings of “anger and frustration” at having surrendered their lead. This matchup marks the fourth consecutive season in which these two teams have faced each other in the knockout rounds, setting the stage for another intense encounter in the return leg at the Bernabeu.

“I don’t know how to put it into words straight away, it’s so raw and frustrating for everyone,” Stones said.

“We were in the game until so late and then it’s two situations that happen and we concede. It’s frustrating as a defender to come away with that result.

“It’s a feeling of anger and frustration. We need to see games out better. The manager said we need to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, I think we do that. We need to step up when these bad moments happen.

“We had a great opportunity to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead. It’s not done. We have to stay positive, which is difficult now. As the manager says we need to look at ourselves and take accountability.”

Madrid’s 3-2 win in the first leg against City was the 40th time Madrid has won the first leg of a European knockout stage tie while playing away from home. They have successfully progressed in 37 of the previous 39 instances, with their only failures occurring against Odense Boldklub in the 1994-95 UEFA Cup and Ajax in the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League.

On the other hand, this defeat was City’s fifth loss in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League knockout stage tie. They have been eliminated each of the previous four times after losing the first leg.

Real Madrid vs Man City team news

Carlo Ancelotti may make one change to the team that won the first leg, bringing Antonio Rüdiger back into the defense in place of Raúl Asencio, provided Rüdiger is deemed fully fit.

Three other players could return after being benched during the weekend’s draw with Osasuna. Ferland Mendy and Fran García continue to alternate at left-back, while Dani Ceballos may have the advantage over captain Luka Modrić in midfield. Additionally, Rodrygo is expected to reclaim his position on the right flank, replacing Brahim Díaz.

On the bench, Ancelotti also has young players Arda Güler and Endrick available as substitutes, should he need to make an impact, although neither has yet earned the trust to be a starter in such an important match.

David Alaba, who was sidelined from December 17, 2023, to January 19, 2025, due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, was recently diagnosed with an adductor injury on February 4.

Lucas Vázquez has missed the last two matches due to a hamstring injury.

Dani Carvajal, who has been out since October 5, and Éder Militão, injured on November 9, are expected to miss the remainder of the season due to knee injuries.

Guardiola, who selected five centre-backs for the starting lineup in the opening leg to counter Real Madrid’s attacking threat, expressed his frustration with “bad decision-making” after Manchester City made two mistakes that resulted in goals for their opponents.

In the recent match against Newcastle in the Premier League, there were new concerns when Haaland was substituted during the final moments after suffering a knee issue during the buildup to Manchester City’s last goal, which McAtee scored.

Jack Grealish (groin) and Manuel Akanji (adductor) missed the weekend victory after leaving the first leg due to injury. Akanji is expected to be sidelined for up to ten weeks following surgery.

Oscar Bobb sustained a leg fracture during training on August 14.

Rodri suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the match against Arsenal on September 22 and has undergone surgery, which is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the season.