Carlo Ancelotti was typically candid in his pre-match press conference ahead of the first leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
The Italian discussed the respect he holds for his touchline counterpart and decried a lack of courage during Madrid’s beatdown at the Etihad last season before noting there shall be no surprises regarding his team selection.
Ancelotti merely has two long-term injuries to mitigate, although there is some debate as to who’ll start alongside Federico Valverde in midfield on Tuesday night. The boss has high-quality options at his disposal, but which dynamic will provide the right balance against a sky blue juggernaut?
Here’s how Madrid could line up against City for the first leg in the Spanish capital.
GK: Andriy Lunin – Thibaut Courtois has been so pivotal for Madrid in this competition, but Lunin’s Champions League knockout stage career started superbly in the round of 16.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Carvajal will be his industrious self on Tuesday, hassling Jack Grealish (probably) throughout the contest. He’s surely a banker for a booking.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Rudiger loved his tussle with Erling Haaland last season and he’ll attempt to tame the Nordic striker in Madrid.
CB: Eder Militao – Ancelotti admitted he’s not yet decided who will partner Rudiger on Tuesday, but Militao will be desperate for a start having returned to fitness following seven months out. It’s a risk, but a rusty Militao is probably still better than Nacho.
LB: Ferland Mendy – Mendy has streaked away from Fran Garcia in the left-back depth chart and is a shoo-in to start against City given the resurgent season he’s enjoyed.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga – It feels like a toss-of-a-coin decision as to who’ll start at the base of midfield. However, we’ll give Camavinga the nod over Aurelien Tchouameni given his track record in Europe. He’s thrived in the knockouts previously.
CM: Toni Kroos – There may be some concerns without the ball against a powerful City midfield, but Kroos’ inclusion feels necessary given what he can supply in possession.
CM: Federico Valverde – Madrid‘s star midfielder will be absolutely pivotal in slowing the visitors down on Tuesday. Valverde operates as Madrid’s primary disruptor while also producing quality in transition.
AM: Jude Bellingham – The English sensation previously impressed with Borussia Dortmund against City at this stage of the competition. Bellingham will now be looking to go one step further and inspire the world’s grandest club to victory against Europe’s best on the big stage.
ST: Vinicius Junior – Pep Guardiola must have had a sleepless night or two thinking about how City can nullify Vinicius in the absence of Kyle Walker. The Brazilian has arguably been the world’s best performer in 2024.
ST: Rodrygo – Rodrygo unsurprisingly shone in Vini’s absence last time out, enjoying himself down the left. However, he’ll have to occupy the right channel on Tuesday with his compatriot available once again.
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