2 weeks Ago By Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Madrid have a patched-up defence for tonight’s Champions League clash with Manchester City. The holders are the visitors to the Etihad Stadium this evening as they look to secure a positive result to take back to the Santiago Bernabeu for next week’s knockout phase play-off second leg . However, their task has been made a lot more difficult with the ongoing defensive crisis.
Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao have already sustained season-ending knee injuries, whilst Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba have not travelled to Manchester. Lucas Vazquez has become the latest casualty as a hamstring injury has ruled him out of the Man City clash too. “Following tests carried out on Lucas Vazquez by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left hamstring, meaning he will not be in the squad to travel to Manchester,” a Real Madrid medical report read.
“His recovery will be assessed.” As a result, Ancelotti will have to get creative with regard to his defensive set-up and this could mean Federico Valverde is asked to operate at right-back with midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni continuing his centre-back partnership with youngster Raul Asencio. Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga are options to start in central midfield as Ancelotti can select a front four of Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr.
and Kylian Mbappe. Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr.; Mbappe Squad from: Courtois, Lunin, Sergio Mestre, Vallejo, Fran García, Mendy, Jacobo, Asencio, Lorenzo, Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Modric, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Ceballos, Chema, Vini Jr.
, Mbappe, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim and Gonzalo. Time and date: 8pm GMT on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Venue: Etihad Stadium TV channel and live stream: Amazon Prime Video.
