Manchester City is accustomed to competing in the Champions League semi-finals, and Real Madrid is a dependable opponent.
At the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night, City will play Los Blancos in the opening leg of an exciting final-four match.
The match is a rematch of last year’s semifinal, but Pep Guardiola’s team will benefit from playing the second leg at home this time.
Nathan Ake was not on the City team that took the plane to Madrid on Monday because he hurt himself during the team’s victory over Leeds on Saturday.
A little over a year ago, the Blues let a lead slip at the Bernabeu and lost the match 6-5 overall after giving up two late goals.
Guardiola will be hopeful that his team avoids making the same mistake this time. These are the players listed below that MCN believes the Spaniard will rely on to deliver a victory back to Manchester.
Defence
For the majority of this season, Nathan Ake has been a certain conclusion as a starter, but when the Dutchman missed three games last month due to a hamstring problem, Guardiola brought in Manuel Akanji to fill in.
The speed and strength of the Swiss international make him the best choice to deal with Real Madrid’s hot-shot winger Rodrygo and attacking right-back Dani Carvajal.
To facilitate Akanji’s transfer to the left, Kyle Walker will replace Ruben Dias as the centre defender on the right side. Ruben Dias will continue to command the defence.
Midfield
When City doesn’t have the ball, Stones will play at centre back; but, when they do, he will move into midfield to partner with Rodri in a double pivot.
Guardiola will want to use his “control wingers” in a European knockout encounter that may turn into an end-to-end basketball game.
While Bernardo Silva stays on the right, Jack Grealish will reenter the lineup on the left wing.
By moving the latter wide, Pep will be able to launch Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan into the centre of his assault.
Attack
Of course, Erling Haaland will get the ball first and seek to lead City to a second Champions League final by scoring more goals to add to his current total of 51.
Predicted City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland