2 years ago
The laliga heavyweight champions will look forward to facing the current giants of the premier without two of their star as they will miss the game as a result of injury
Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale have both been left out of the Real Madrid squad for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with the premier league giants
Bale will not be involved in the squad that will face the premier league giants as the result of the back problem he suffered recently which caused him to miss the laliga title celebration as it was rumoured he was an absentee to the titile celebration.
Hazard is also out, with the Belgium international recently undergoing a minor leg operation,since his arrival at the club from the Stanford bridge,he has not lived up to expectations as he is always injuried.
David Alaba has been included in the squad, though, despite head coach Carlo Ancelotti claiming that the Austria international will not be involved due to a hamstring issue.
"I don't have any doubts. Alaba can't play," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference. "I don't have doubts, it will possibly be a long game too but it's not so important who starts as it is who finishes it.
"The defence system is the same. Alaba is an important player but Nacho's played very well this season. He's experienced and I'm sure he'll put on a good performance tomorrow." the coach added.
Despite seemingly being ruled out, the fact that Alaba has been named in the squad suggests that he could potentially be involved if required, but Nacho will start alongside Eder Militao in the middle of the defence.
Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic have both recently been on the sidelines with issues, but the pair are named in the squad and will provide back-up for Karim Benzema in the final third of the field.
Marco Asensio and Rodrygo are also attacking options, but Federico Valverde is being tipped to start in a front three alongside Benzema and Vinicius Junior.
Ancelotti has also confirmed that Casemiro, who was not involved in the first leg through injury, will start in the middle of midfield at Bernabeu.
"He'll help us a lot, his return is instrumental in our improvement defensively. Another thing we'll need is a collective commitment from everyone to move better, be more compact with one another. We have worked hard and long on our defence and hopefully will notice improvements tomorrow," said Ancelotti.
Real Madrid's team was much changed against Espanyol on Saturday with one eye on this match, but Los Blancos still managed to record a 4-0 victory to secure the title in style.
Lucas Vazquez, Jesus Vallejo, Marcelo, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo, Mariano and Asensio are all expected to drop out of the starting side from the weekend fixture.
Man City led 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 in the first leg at Etihad Stadium, but Real Madrid answered back on each occasion to leave the tie delicately poised, with the English outfit holding a slender 4-3 advantage.
The laliga giants still have four league games to play this season against Atletico Madrid, Levante, Cadiz and Real Betis, but they have already won the title with this current matches left to spare
Real Madrid squad: Courtois, Lunin, Fuidias; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Marcelo, Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde, Vazquez, Ceballos, Camavinga; Benzema, Ase
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