Manchester City face Real Madrid in their next League Phase match in the Champions League – and after the defeat to Bayer Leverkusen the game takes on added importance.
Pep Guardiola stunned fans with his team selection against Leverkusen a couple of weeks ago, and Manchester City fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
It was the first time City had lost to a German side at home since Guardiola’s Bayern Munich triumphed 3-1 in 2013.
That defeat, combined with results elsewhere saw City slip out of the automatic qualifying places in the League Phase table.
City now sit ninth, and take on Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The Spanish giants have actually been struggling under Xabi Alonso recently with the manager under pressure to save his job.
More Man City News
But it’s still Real Madrid in the Champions League, and City face a stern test.
Here’s a potential XI we may see from Guardiola.
Predicted Man City XI to face Real Madrid
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
It is practically certain that Guardiola will not be ‘pulling a Leverkusen’ on Wednesday night.
The Manchester City manager won’t be making 10 changes like he did against the German outfit, and will be going as strong as possible.
And actually, we feel he could go unchanged from the weekend.
In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma should keep his place, and the defence could be Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly. That would mean an unchanged defensive unit from against Sunderland.
In midfield, one would imagine, Nico Gonzalez will continue in the holding role, and the two number eights might be Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.
Here’s how we think Man City will line up vs Real Madrid! 👀
Do you agree with our picks? 🤔
A lineup graphic showing a potential starting XI for Manchester City against Real Madrid.
How Pep Guardiola could set Man City up vs Real Madrid
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Foden is obviously in scintillating form, and Bernardo has historically played very well against Real Madrid.
Up top Erling Haaland is sure to lead the line, and it’s difficult to see Guardiola overlooking Jeremy Doku on the left.
And on the right, many fans would like to hope that Rayan Cherki will be rewarded with a start after his stunning performance against Sunderland, which featured a world-class rabona assist for Foden.
Cherki hasn’t actually started for City in the Champions League yet. But his showing at Sunderland may tempt Guardiola, even though the manager played down his flair at the weekend.
Man City defence will be key vs Real Madrid
It has been clear in recent weeks that City’s issues have been at the back.
But against Sunderland, there was an improvement, and a first clean sheet in three games.
Who remembers this classic when Man City went to the Bernabeu in April 2024? 😯
It featured stunning goals and a sublime performance from Phil Foden 🔥
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
To beat Real Madrid, that backline is going to have to be watertight. Because any errors are getting pounced upon by Kylian Mbappe, who has 25 goals in 21 games this season – nine of which have come in the Champions League, making him the competition’s top scorer.
That is, if Mbappe plays. He did not train on Tuesday and is currently a doubt for the game.
The likes of Foden, Haaland and Doku are all on fire right now. So it’s important that any goods they come up with do not go to waste.