Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid are all set to host Manchester City in matchday six of the Champions League at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Having suffered a defeat in their last UEFA Champions League outing, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways when they hit the road to face a struggling Real Madrid side at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The home team were off to a flying start to the season, but things have started to crumble for them in recent weeks. They have lost the top spot in the league and are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo.
However, their UCL form isn’t that big a concern as they are fifth on the table with 16 points in five outings. Post their defeat to Liverpool, they did bounce back with a 4-3 win over Olympiacos thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s heroics.
Given their overall form and defensive injuries, they could find things very difficult against City. Meanwhile, the visitors are ninth on the table with 13 points in their five outings, three wins, a draw and a defeat. They suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen in their last UCL outing and will be eager to get things back on track against Real Madrid.
Post that defeat to Leverkusen, City have won each of their last three league outings, and they will be confident about their chances of taking down Madrid in their backyard. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso was already without the services of Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy. Eder Militao has also joined the sidelines following a hamstring injury against Celta Vigo.
Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen and David Alaba have a race against time to be fit for this fixture. While Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia were both sent off in their last outing, they will be serving their suspension in La Liga and will be available for this UEFA Champions League outing between Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Alonso’s team will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will continue in goal. Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger will feature as the centre-backs, while Federico Valverde and Carreras should be the full-backs.
Arda Guler will start alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the centre of the park. The trio will look to ensure City midfielders do not dominate the proceedings.
Jude Bellingham will continue in the number ten role behind Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Guler, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Vinicius Jr, Mbappe
Manchester City
The visitors will remain without the services of Mateo Kovacic and Rodri, while John Stones’s availability is a major doubt, having missed the game against Sunderland.
Pep Guardiola’s team will line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, where Gianluigi Donnarumma will be in goal. Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly should return to the XI to take charge as the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Ruben Dias will partner with Josko Gvardiol.
Nico Gonzalez will be the defensive midfielder in front of the backline. Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki will feature on the flanks, while Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden should take charge as the two central midfielders.
Finally, Erling Haaland will lead the line for Manchester City against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Key Stats
- Real Madrid and Manchester City have faced each other on 16 occasions; Madrid have won six, while City have come out on top on five occasions.
- Both teams last squared up in the playoff round last season, with Madrid winning 6-3 on aggregate.
- Both teams have found the back of the net in the last four meetings between the two.
- Manchester City and Real Madrid have both conceded five goals in the UEFA Champions League this season, while Madrid have scored 12, City have found the back of the net on 10 occasions.
- Real Madrid have only won two out of their last six matches across competitions.
Player to Watch
Jeremy Doku
At the age of just 23, Doku has already established himself as one of the mainstays at Manchester City. His ability to take on defenders and ease past them to create chances makes him a lethal weapon for Guardiola’s team.
While he only has three goals and six assists in his 21 outings, his impact is beyond just numbers. His presence on the pitch causes panic in the opposition backline and helps create space for others around him.
Since he is set to square up against Valverde, who is not a natural right-back, this player battle could actually decide the end result of this fixture.
Prediction
Real Madrid 1-3 Manchester City
Real Madrid enter this crucial clash with concerns mounting after a dip in form and multiple defensive injuries. While their attacking quality through Bellingham, Vinicius and Mbappe can trouble any side, their recent inconsistency and a depleted backline leave them vulnerable against a City team that thrives on control and precision.
Manchester City, meanwhile, arrive with momentum after three straight league wins and a clear desire to respond following their defeat to Leverkusen in Europe. Even without Rodri and Kovacic, Guardiola’s side look sharper and more balanced, with Doku, Foden and Haaland all in strong form.
Given Real Madrid’s defensive issues and Manchester City’s confidence in possession, the visitors should have the upper hand. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the away team.