Real Madrid defender Éder Militão is suspended for the club’s Champions League semi-final with Manchester City on Tuesday.
Antonio Rüdiger will partner David Alaba at centre-back, according to AS’ predicted XI. Rüdiger and Alaba have not played together as the starting centre-back pairing since the two matches at the Club World Cup.
There will, therefore, be two changes from the eleven that won the Copa del Rey against Osasuna. The return of Luka Modrić to the side will see Aurélien Tchouaméni start the game on the bench.
Toni Kroos looks set to play as a pivot in midfield. “I played as a pivot against Barça and Chelsea and it worked out well. Defending is a team thing,” the German midfielder said in the build-up to the game at the Bernabéu.
Thibaut Courtois will start between the sticks, while Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga will start as the full-backs. Fede Valverde is set to be the third member of the engine room alongside Kroos and Modrić, and in attack Carlo Ancelotti will likely opt for Rodrygo, Karim Benzema and Vinícius.
In addition to Militão, Ancelotti will be without Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos, who are both injured.
Carlo Ancelotti’s possible starting XI for Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Ancelotti could choose the following XI against Manchester City:
Courtois – Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Camavinga – Valverde, Kroos, Modrić – Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinícius.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
