In the middle of a results crisis which is threatening Xabi Alonso’s position as Real Madrid coach, Los Blancos welcome an old nemesis in Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team to the Estadio Bernabéu on Wednesday night in the UEFA Champions League.
The Spanish side fell to an embarrassing 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday as their poor form continues, with only two wins from their last seven matches. That run of fixtures has seen three disappointing draws, against Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Girona, as well as two defeats.
In the Champions League, Real Madrid have won four games but lost one, their toughest test yet up against Liverpool at Anfield where there was a 1-0 defeat. Now, they face Manchester City for the first time since they eliminated them from the last 16 of the tournament last season, winning 3-1 in the return fixture in Madrid.
The pressure is on Alonso in one of his toughest tests since arriving at the club, and he also has several selection choices and decisions to make across the field.
Real Madrid team news vs. Manchester City
The freshest injury concern is that of Brazilian defender Éder Militão, who pulled up with a serious-looking hamstring injury on Sunday night against Celta Vigo and was forced off, unable to hold his own weight. He is expected to undergo tests early this week, but the medical team already fear a long-term lay-off.
That adds to an already ongoing defensive injury crisis. Both right-back options, Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, are not expected back until 2026, while left-back Ferland Mendy is also not targeting a return until then at the earliest. Central defender David Alaba also remains sidelined by a muscle injury with no defined target date for his return.
The good news could come from Dean Huijsen, as the Spanish international is not entirely ruled out for this game. He withdrew from the Spain squad in the November international window with muscle discomfort and is yet to return to action
Also possibly returning could be Eduardo Camavinga, who was not risked at the weekend after taking a knock to the ankle in last week’s 3-0 win over Athletic Club in Bilbao. He is expected to be available and fully fit to feature.
There are no suspensions impacting Real Madrid’s selection choices, but Álvaro Carreras will need to be careful as he is one yellow card away from a one-game ban. Seeing yellow against Manchester City would therefore rule him out of January’s fixture against AS Monaco at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid expected lineup vs. Manchester City
Real Madrid’s expected starting XI against Manchester City (4-1-2-1-2): Thibaut Courtois; Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, Álvaro Carreras, Eduardo Camavinga; Aurélien Tchouameni; Arda Güler, Fede Valverde; Jude Bellingham; Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé.
The biggest uncertainty lies in how Xabi Alonso will take on his eefnsive injury crisis. The most likely solution will be to stick with the 4-1-2-1-2 shape which he has used in recent weeks, maintaining a midfield diamond and opting to keep his key players happy and playing in their best position in midfield and attack.
That would mean that Raúl Asencio would continue at right-back, offering more defensive assurances than Fede Valverde, and Álvaro Carreras could continue as a central defender if Dean Huijsen is not fit to return and start, as is expected.
At left-back, Eduardo Camavinga could be preferred to Fran García, who was sent off on Sunday night, and use his athleticism up against Manchester City’s dangerous wingers, as was frequently used by Carlo Ancelotti when facing up against Pep Guardiola’s side.
The alternative could be a switch to a back three, with Valverde and Camavinga operating as wing-backs, but that would mean sacrificing a midfielder which Alonso has appeared to be keen to avoid.