Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti could receive a double defensive boost for Wednesday’s Champions League playoff second leg with Manchester City at the Bernabeu.
The holders prevailed 3-2 at the Etihad despite missing no fewer than five defenders, as Lucas Vazquez, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal all sat out the trip.
However, Alaba and Rudiger took part in full training with their teammates on Monday morning and seemingly have good chances of being fit for Wednesday, where Ancelotti has no fresh concerns from the weekend’s 1-1 La Liga draw with Osasuna.
Alaba might be held back given his lack of football and recent fitness woes, but a fit-again Rudiger could return to the backline alongside the up-and-coming Raul Asencio.
Such a move would allow Ancelotti to field Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield alongside Eduardo Camavinga; fellow lynchpin Federico Valverde should fill in at right-back again, while Ferland Mendy is expected to take Fran Garcia‘s slot on the opposite side.
Further forward, first-leg match-winner Jude Bellingham is about to serve a ban for his controversial red card against Osasuna, but the Englishman’s suspension – which could supposedly be up to 12 games long – will only apply to domestic affairs.
As a result, Bellingham ought to reprise his attacking role with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe as he goes in search of a UCL record; his next goal against Man City would be his fourth, the most one English player has scored against an English team in the Champions League.
- Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe
