Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Man Cityvs.Real Madrid

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 April 2024, 23:23
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kyle Walker is in contention to feature in the side's crucial Champions League second-leg quarter-final tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

The stakes are high, and everything is still to play for after the sides traded blows, ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw in Madrid just a week ago.

Walker has been absent from City's lineup for the past five games due to an injury sustained in England's defeat to Brazil last month. However, he made a return to the bench in the side's 5-1 victory over Luton on Saturday.

Nathan Ake has also been sidelined since picking up a calf injury against Arsenal last month but joined Walker as a substitute against the Hatters at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.

Guardiola confirms Walker in contention for Real Madrid clash

Addressing reporters ahead of the blockbuster showdown against Los Blancos, the City boss stated, "I am going to wait and see the training and in the last one or two training sessions see how he looks.

"But he looks good, his face, his mood. I don't know from the bench, from the beginning [of the match] if he will be with us tomorrow. But that's incredibly good news. We have the final training at 4 and then we will decide."

Walker has been determined to make himself available to play some part in the clash with Madrid, given his pivotal role in neutralising Vinicius Junior last season, particularly in the 4-0 victory at the Etihad.

The defending European Champions will also welcome back defensive midfielder Rodri for the midweek encounter, having rested him for the Premier League fixture against Luton.

It is understood that the 27-year-old Spaniard had requested that Guardiola give him a rest after the high-octane first leg as he was feeling exhausted.

If City manage to overcome Los Merengues, they will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.

Additionally, they have a last-four encounter in the FA Cup against Chelsea scheduled for this weekend, and a victory against Mauricio Pochettino's side would secure a return to Wembley in May, where they would face either Manchester United or Coventry City.

The return of Walker, Ake and Rodri will also give the side a massive boost as they head into the final stretch of the Premier League season.

With six games left to go, the Sky Blues currently hold a slender two-point lead over Arsenal and Liverpool at the summit of the league standings.

Top News

2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides looking to bring an end to winless streaks come face to face on Saturday afternoon as Dundee host St Mirren at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park in the second of five matches in the post-split phase of the Scottish Premiership. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With three Bundesliga games remaining, neither Werder Bremen nor Borussia Monchengladbach are assured of survival before gameweek 32's clash at Weserstadion. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have allegedly made contact with Antonio Conte in a bid to secure a reunion with their former head coach. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford and Fulham will be playing solely for West London derby bragging rights in Saturday afternoon's Premier League contest at the Gtech Community Stadium. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be bidding to strengthen their grip on a top-four position in the La Liga table when they travel to relegation-threatened Mallorca on Saturday night. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad will be bidding to bounce back from their defeat against Real Madrid when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Las Palmas on Saturday afternoon. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Long-term Arsenal absentee Jurrien Timber could make his long-awaited senior comeback in Saturday's early Premier League kickoff against Bournemouth. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bidding to temporarily go four points clear at the top of the Premier League standings, Arsenal kick off Saturday's action with the visit of Bournemouth to the Emirates Stadium for the lunchtime kickoff. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been dealt a blow in their efforts to sign a new midfielder in the summer. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both Champions League semi-finals are delicately poised ahead of the second legs next week. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has reportedly received an official offer from Fluminense. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have dropped a major hint over the futures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the launch of their new home kit for the 2024-25 campaign. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have been dealt a blow with the news that one of their defenders has suffered a serious knee injury. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have unveiled their official men's and women's home kit for the 2024-25 season, which pays homage to the legendary treble-winning side from the 1983-84 campaign. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's ambitions of Premier League glory could fully crash and burn when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield for Sunday's Premier League fixture. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A pair of Ligue 1 sides fighting for different things in the latter portion of the campaign will square off on Friday as Lens welcome Lorient to Stade Bollaert-Delelis. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marseille vs. Atalanta (Thursday, 8.00pm) Meeting for the first time in European competition, Marseille and Atalanta BC will both seek a crucial first-leg lead as they kick off their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. 2 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS) will square off on Saturday as Inter Miami host the New York Red Bulls at Chase Stadium. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In a matchup between one of the hottest teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) and one of the top teams in the Western Conference, Austin FC will travel to BC Place Stadium on Saturday to battle the Vancouver Whitecaps. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund have put one foot in the final of the 2023-24 Champions League thanks to a 1-0 victory over a wasteful Paris Saint-Germain at the Signal Iduna Park. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With the chance to guarantee their Eredivisie safety, Almere City will welcome Heerenveen to the Yanmar Stadion on Friday. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have proven themselves to be the best side in La Liga this season, sitting comfortably at the head of the table and charging towards a 36th top-flight title. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Athletic Bilbao's bid to remain in the hunt for a top-four finish in La Liga will continue on Friday evening, when they make the trip to the Spanish capital to tackle Getafe. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to complete their 10th Premier League double over their London rivals, Chelsea welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge for Thursday's mouthwatering capital clash. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on a move for a Ukraine international winger should Raphinha depart the club in the summer transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly hoping to shift two of their unwanted stars to the Saudi Pro League during the summer transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two clubs, including a Champions League semi-finalist, are reportedly preparing to battle one another for the signature of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk this summer. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Watford and Queens Park Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Luton Town's Luke Berry during the summer transfer window. 1 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be aiming to strengthen their grip on second position in the La Liga table when they travel to Catalan rivals Girona on Saturday evening.