Real Madrid hold a huge lead over Man City ahead of their Champions League second legplaceholder image
Real Madrid hold a huge lead over Man City ahead of their Champions League second leg | Getty Images
Man City host Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout stage on Tuesday night.
The Blues head into their decisive last 16 tie in need of a perfect performance after they were stunned 3-0 in the Spanish capital last week. City started the match well but were quickly undone when Federico Valverde capitalised on diabolical defending to net a brilliant hat-trick.
Pep Guardiola's side had been made favourites to win the first leg, but have it all to do when they welcome Madrid to Manchester on Tuesday night. City not only have to overhaul a three-goal deficit against the La Liga side, but they will also have to do so against a stronger Madrid squad than they faced a week ago.
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Real Madrid handed huge boost as Man City squad named
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham have both been named in the Real Madrid travelling squad to face Man City in the Champions League this week. The star duo both missed the first leg victory due to injury, but could be involved as they look to secure a place in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night.
Mbappe, who has scored 38 goals across all competitions this season, returned to training last week but was absent for the weekend win over Elche. He is expected to be named in the match-day squad for the clash at the Etihad Stadium this week, though it might only be as a substitute.
Bellingham is also expected to be named on the Madrid bench as he looks to return from a recent hamstring injury. The England international has not played since he picked up the injury in the opening minutes of the clash with Rayo Vallecano on 1 February.
In terms of other team news, former Manchester United youngster Alvaro Carreras has been included after he missed the first leg due to a calf injury. Ferland Mendy was named in the starting line up last week, but suffered his own muscle injury and will not be involved in the second leg. David Alaba has also returned to the 26-man travelling squad after he missed the first leg.
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Gonzalez.
Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Alexander-Arnold, Carreras, Garcia, Rudiger, Huijsen, Aguado, Rivas.
Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler, Cestero, Angel, Palacios, Thiago.
Forwards: Vinicius Jr, Mbappe, Gonzalo, Diaz, Mastantuono.
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