Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Manchester City: Champions League

On By Littum

For the fifth time in the last six years, Real Madrid will face Manchester City in the Champions League Knockout scene.

Although Real Madrid got their appalling European title defense back on track at the end of the league, they still wound up drawing Manchester City in the knockout phase. The two sides have produced some of the most memorable Champions League matches in the last five years, and Los Blancos hopes to recreate some of Magic from their sanctions victory last year.

However, if Carlo Ancelotti’s men want to leave Manchester with a victory, they must do something they have never done before – occupying Manchester City on Etihad. They also have to overcome the defending English masters with a provisional backline.

Lucas Vázquez is the latest Real Madrid defender who suffers from an injury and joins Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão on the sidelines. Now Ancelotti will rely on two midfielders to end his backline against Erling Haaland.

Here’s what Real Madrid’s Xi could look like against Pep Guardiola’s men on February 11th.

Join SI Soccer’s Real Madrid WhatsApp Community – Get all the latest news and analysis directly to your phone

GK: Thibaut Courtois—Andriy Lunin stole the limelight, the last time Real Madrid was facing City, but it will be Courtois between the posts this time.

RB: Fat Valverde– The midfielder returns to the right flank while Vázquez sidelines.

CB: Raúl ASENCIO-The 21-year-old shone in his first Madrid Derby and seems to put a similar performance against City.

CB: Aurélien Tchouaméni—Tchouaméni continues to fill in the middle of the back. The Frenchman is a yellow card away from being suspended for the second stage at Santiago Bernabéu.

LB: Ferland Mendy–Uly rested, Mendy enters the set -back at the left as the more defensively healthy option over Fran García.

DM: Eduardo Camavinga—I just his second game back from an injury, Camavinga looks to return to Ancelottis XI. Should the Frenchman still not be healthy enough to start, you can expect Luka Modrić to nod instead.

DM: Dani Ceballos– The spanish will have more pressure than ever before without Valverde with him.

RW: Rodrygo– The Brazilian always seems to deliver against the city. His stag in the dying moments of the semi -finals in 2022 triggered one of the most unlikely comebacks in the Champions League story.

Am: Jude Bellingham— The last time Bellingham played in his homeland for Real Madrid, he helped Los Blancos lift their record 15. Champions League Trophy.

LW: Vinícius Júnior–Real Madrid needs Vinícius Júnior back on his best to secure their first win ever at Etihad. The wing has only three goals for its name in its last nine appearances.

St: Kylian Mbappé—Mbappé made history against Atlético Madrid when he became the youngest player in the story to reach 500 goal contributions. He will now look to translate his goal scoring form into Europe.

Read the latest UEFA Champions League news, previews, predictions and more