Manchester City strives to achieve a good result in the first match of the semifinals of the Champions League with Real Madrid.
City host Real Madrid after beating Atletico Madrid in the final round, but face a very different challenge in the semi-finals, with Los Blancos showing their class in previous rounds against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. City have not yet conceded a goal in the elimination stages of the Champions League, but this is a record that will be put to the test by striker in good shape Karim Benzema.
Pep Guardiola is also facing a crisis in defense, with Joao Cancello punished for this first game, and Kyle Walker is suspected of a major injury because he did not train or play in the last round against Atletico. John Stones – who has also not trained for a week and also suspects an injury – starts at right back, with Oleks Zinchenko at left back.
Gabriel Jesus joins Riyadh Mares and Phil Foden in the City’s top three, with Jack Grillish and Rahim Stirling on the bench.
City XI: Ederson, Stones, Diaz, Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mares, Jesus, Foden.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Mendi, Alaba, Militao, Carvajal; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrigo, Benzema, Vinicius.
Follow below for pre-match preparation, live match updates and post-match reaction from Etihad.
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