Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has named a strong team, as his side host Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The Italian manager has gone with a side that many had predicted before the lineup was announcement, with the only notable decision being Aurélien Tchouaméni preferred to Nacho at centre-back. The Frenchman will partner Antonio Rüdiger at the heart of a very strong Madrid defence.
Spanish right-back Dani Carvajal captains the side, with Ferland Mendy operating at left-back instead of Eduardo Camavinga, who played in this position in last year’s encounter with the Premier League side. However, Camavinga does start alongside veteran Toni Kroos and the explosive Federico Valverde in central midfield.
Jude Bellingham was knocked out by tonight’s opposition at the same stage of the competition in 2021, when he was still playing for Borussia Dortmund. The Englishman is set to start at the tip of the diamond, although he will likely have the freedom to venture forward into the number nine position.
Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior will operate as the split strikers in the diamond, but will predominantly play in wider areas in order to stretch the City defence.
