Real Madrid have a patched-up defence for tonight’s Champions League clash with Manchester City.
The holders are the visitors to the Etihad Stadium this evening as they look to secure a positive result to take back to the Santiago Bernabeu for next week’s knockout phase play-off second leg.
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However, their task has been made a lot more difficult with the ongoing defensive crisis.
Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao have already sustained season-ending knee injuries, whilst Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba have not travelled to Manchester.
Lucas Vazquez has become the latest casualty as a hamstring injury has ruled him out of the Man City clash too.
“Following tests carried out on Lucas Vazquez by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left hamstring, meaning he will not be in the squad to travel to Manchester,” a Real Madrid medical report read. “His recovery will be assessed.”
As a result, Ancelotti has had to get creative with regard to his defensive set-up and this means Federico Valverde is asked to operate at right-back with midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni continuing his centre-back partnership with youngster Raul Asencio.
As expected, the quartet of Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe all start, with Luka Modric and Endrick among those on the bench.
Starting XI: Courtois, Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy, Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vini Jr
Subs: Lunin, Modric, Guler, Endrick, Vallejo, Garcia, Brahim, Gonzalo, Ramon, Chema, Aguado
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium
TV channel and live stream: Amazon Prime Video
