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Real Madridvs.Man City

sportsmole.co.uk, 8 April 2024, 15:26
Manchester City have named their 21-man travelling squad for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg tie against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, two key players will not be making the trip to Spain, including right-back Kyle Walker who is yet to recover from a hamstring injury.

The 33-year-old sustained his injury on international duty with England last month and has subsequently missed each of Man City's last four matches in all competitions.

Walker has taken on a greater leadership role at the Etihad Stadium this season, wearing the captain's armband in 36 of his 38 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions.

The Englishman's athleticism and electric pace has been a huge asset for Man City when dealing with the threat of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior in previous meetings, but Pep Guardiola will have to look elsewhere in a bid to stop the Brazilian winger.

Teenage right-back Rico Lewis, who scored in Man City's 4-2 Premier League win at Crystal Palace last weekend, and Manuel Akanji are the most likely candidates to start on the right side of defence on Tuesday.

Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake to miss Real Madrid clash

Walker is not the only defender who will miss City's trip to Madrid as Nathan Ake has also been left out of the club's 21-man travelling squad.

Ake was forced off with an unspecified injury in the Citizens' goalless draw with Arsenal on March 31 and has since missed the last two Premier League games against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

The Dutchman has featured regularly under Guardiola this term, starting 27 games in all competitions, and has predominantly played as a left-sided centre-back to allow Josko Gvardiol to operate at left-back.

There had been concerns that Gvardiol would not be fit to make the trip to Spain after he was taken off at half time against Crystal Palace because he "felt a niggle" according to Guardiola.

Like Walker and Ake, Gvardiol was not spotted during an open training session on Monday afternoon, but the Croatian has been selected in Man City's squad.

Elsewhere, Man City have been boosted by the news that goalkeeper Ederson has been named in the squad, although Guardiola stated on Sunday that he is yet to decide whether the Brazilian will start in goal ahead of Stefan Ortega.

Man City's 21-man squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Scott Carson

Defenders: Ruben Dias, John Stones, Sergio Gomez, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Rico Lewis

Midfielders: Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Phil Foden, Mahamadou Susoho

Attackers: Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez, Oscar Bobb

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