Man City predicted XI for Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid
Manchester City will qualify for their second Champions League final if they beat Real Madrid at the Etihad on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola is expected to name the same starting XI that secured a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital a week ago. Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez are all set to drop to the bench after starting the 3-0 victory at Everton on Saturday.
As for Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, he could make a big change to his starting XI after defender Eder Militao completed a one-game European suspension last time out. The winners of this tie will secure their spot in the final, set to take place in Istanbul on June 10.
As ever, Ederson will start in goal for City on Wednesday night. The Brazilian goalkeeper is expected to be joined by a back three of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji, with John Stones and Rodri playing in front of the defence when City have the ball.
When City are out of possession, Stones will drop into the defence to make a back four. The system was used by Guardiola during his time at Bayern Munich, when Philipp Lahm would step into midfield from right-back while in possession.
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Guardiola is set to deploy captain Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, who was rested against Everton, in front of Rodri and Stones. On the wing, Bernardo Silva could come in for Mahrez and Jack Grealish is likely to regain his position from Phil Foden.
Jack Grealish could return to Manchester City's starting XI (Getty Images)Who do you think Pep Guardiola should play against Real Madrid? Let us know in the comments below!
The final piece of Guardiola's puzzle is his striker, Erling Haaland. City's talisman has scored a remarkable 52 goals in just 48 games this season, although he failed to find the net in Madrid last week. Haaland will be keen to make up for that blank in Manchester.
Real took the lead in the first leg thanks to Vinicius Junior's stunning long-range effort. City found an equaliser in the second half through De Bruyne, who also found the net from distance with a thunderous strike. It means the winner will take all at the Etihad.
City will be keen to avenge last year's semi-final, when they suffered a collapse against Real. With Guardiola's side boasting a two-goal lead, Rodrygo hit a brace in added time to force another 30 minutes. Karim Benzema then scored the winner for Real.
Ironically, Rodrygo is expected to drop to the bench for this year's second leg to accommodate Militao. That would see David Alaba moved to left-back, with Eduardo Camavinga pushing into midfield and Federico Valverde moving into attack.
Manchester City (3-2-2-3): Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji; John Stones, Rodri; Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish
Real Madrid (4-3-3):Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga; Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior
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