Pep Guardiola reveals John Stones’ role against Real Madrid and why Jack Grealish is starting for Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed the precise reason why Jack Grealish is starting for his side against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

The Etihad Stadium boss unveiled a somewhat surprising selection against the Spanish giants on Tuesday night with five central defenders as part of his set-up for the first-leg of a last-16 play-off meeting with Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

With Manuel Akanji believed to be operating from the right-back position from the off, and Nathan Ake in the left-sided central defensive role alongside Josko Gvardiol, many have made speculations over where John Stones could operate.

With Manchester City having undergone numerous problems throughout the campaign so far in light of Rodri’s long-term absence from defensive midfield, Pep Guardiola has trialled a number of solutions.

However, the long-term belief from within the club is that with an entirely fit defensive unit – which Guardiola now has at his disposal at the perfect time – his preferred solution would be Stones as the anchorman in front of defence alongside an inverted full-back.

And speaking ahead of kick-off between Manchester City and Real Madrid, the Catalan boss has confirmed that tactical solution for the first-leg clash against Los Blancos at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

“He has played many times there, he is an experienced guy,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of kick-off. He continued on the subject of the England international, “He played really good in the last two games.”

A further somewhat surprising selection within the starting line-up was Jack Grealish taking a place on the left of Manchester City’s front-three, with Guardiola revealing that the 29-year-old left an impression on him through training.

The 54-year-old said upon his arrival for the last-16 play-off tie, “There are players that give you something for specific games. I saw training and in many things and that’s why I decided (to start Jack Grealish).”

Manchester City will be hoping for a positive result to take back to the Spanish capital in exactly a week’s time, with a Premier League home clash against Newcastle United separating the two-legged affair with Real Madrid on Saturday afternoon.