Real Madrid will have to make do without David Alaba when they face Manchester City in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Real Madrid will be hoping to pull off a turnaround and qualify for the UEFA Champions League final when they play hosts to Manchester City in the semi-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Real Madrid have been dealt with a major injury blow heading into the game, though, as David Alaba has been ruled out of the contest. Along with the Austrian, Carlo Ancelotti will also be without Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale for the clash against the Premier League champions.

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Confirming Alaba’s absence in his pre-match presser, Ancelotti said: “There’s no question that Alaba won’t be able to play tomorrow and won’t be in the squad. It’ll be a long game and it’ll be more important how we finish the game then how we start it.”

The Italian tactician has confirmed that Nacho Fernandez will start in the absence of the Austrian international. “It doesn’t change how we set up defensively. Alaba is an important part of this team, but the same goes for Nacho. He’s an experienced player and will perform well for us,” he said.

Nacho will likely partner Eder Militao at the heart of the Real Madrid defence. Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy should line up as the full-backs after not featuring at the weekend against Espanyol. Thibaut Courtois will continue to guard the Real Madrid goal.

Moving into the middle of the park, Casemiro is a certain starter for Los Blancos. The Brazilian had missed the first leg with an injury but made his return over the weekend and should be a part of the lineup on Wednesday night. He is likely to be partnered with the experienced duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos as usual.

Ancelotti has opted to use Federico Valverde on the right flank in big games this season. But, Rodrygo enjoyed a great game against Espanyol over the weekend and is deserving of a starting berth. The Brazilian could, thus, get the nod over the Uruguayan midfielder against Manchester City on the right-wing.

As for the remaining two spots in attack, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior are set to return to the lineup after not starting against Espanyol over the weekend.

Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.

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